Recent Progress of PET Radio-tracer for Clinical Use in Central Nervous System

Central nervous system is characterized by a sophisticated structure and complex functions. Nowadays, our knowledge about central nervous system is still insufficient. PET (positron emission computed tomography) imaging technique allows for dynamic observations for the changes of receptor, enzyme, gene expression, blood flow and metabolism process from the molecular level, and thus not only reveals physiological, pathological and biochemical processes of the central nervous system, but also provides an effective imaging means for the early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of central nervous system diseases. PET targeting molecular probe is critical for PET imaging in the brain. In recent years, with the development of multi-modal molecular imaging, radiomics, artificial intelligence and other technologies, extensive studies on PET imaging agentradio-tracer and its interdisciplinary techniques are being performed. In this review, PET radio-tracers commonly used in the central nervous system were summarized so as to provide a useful guide for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the central nervous system when these tracers are used.