Penn researchers discover the powerful tool of simultaneous fMRI and PET imaging
By comparing these two functional images, physicians may be able to better diagnose and treat patients with brain disorders

Clinical researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) are the first to combine fMRI and PET scanning in radiology, creating a way to compare different measurements of the brain's function concurrently. This analysis could lead to better diagnosis and treatment in patients suffering from brain disorders, like Alzheimer's disease.

"By using these two established methods, we now have an integrated way to look at the brain's functions," explained Andrew Newberg, MD, a radiologist in nuclear medicine at UPHS and lead author on this clinical study. "We can now get a more comprehensive view of what's happening in the brain at a particular time, than we've ever been able to do before. We can look at more diseases and more activation states."

The work combines the functional imaging of fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), which captures the blood flow in the brain, and PET scanning (positron emission tomography), which looks at the glucose metabolism in the brain. "Normally, these two measures are coupled, or paired together. The more metabolism you have, the more blood flow," adds Newberg. "But there are times the two don't match up with each other like with stroke, seizure disorders, or neurodegenerative disorders. That's what led us to this new technique so that we can explore many different aspects of the brain's function."

So how does this new simultaneous imaging approach actually work? Radiologists inject a patient with radioactive material used for a PET scan WHILE the patient is already inside an fMRI scanner. During the time that material is being taken up

5% off your order - PetCareChoice
Use coupon code flea2010 at checkout to get 5% off your order at PetCareChoice
20% off $100 - Sierra Trading Post
Get 20% off $100 when use coupon code ALVMARCH2KX at Sierra Trading Post.
15% off $100 or 20% off $150 - Sierra Trading Post
Get 15% off $100 or 20% off $150 use coupon code ALMARCH2KX at Sierra Trading Post.
75% Off Pet Calendars - Cherrybrook
Take 75% Off Pet Calendars from Cherrybrook.
Free shipping on orders over $100 - Cherrybrook
Get Free Shipping on orders over $100 with coupon code CBSH at Cherrybrook.
10% off your Cherrybrook order - Cherrybrook
Get 10% off your Cherrybrook order with coupon code CBED.
Winter Markdowns - Sierra Trading Post
Check out the winter markdowns: save at least 60% at Sierra Trading Post.
Extra 20% off best spring selection - Sierra Trading Post
Take an extra 20% off best spring selection from Sierra Trading Post.
Save up to 20% on 100's of items - PetSmart
Stock Up & Save Sale! Save up to 20% on 100's of items at PetSmart.com!
Free Shipping for Ship-to-Store Orders - Tractor Supply Company
Get Free Shipping for Ship-to-Store Orders Over $25 from Tractor Supply Company.
Check Out Discount Pet Meds - Petscriptions.com
Check Out Discount Pet Meds at Petscriptions.com
$3.99 Flat Economy Shipping on orders of $99 - State Line Tack
Enjoy $3.99 Flat Economy Shipping on orders of $99 or more at State Line Tack
10% off all Eco-Friendly Products - Only Natural Pet Store
Use coupon code ECOFRIEND at checkout to get 10% off all Eco-Friendly Products at Only Natural Pet Store
Up to 35% Off Wardley's Fish Food - PetCo
Save up to 35% Off Wardley's Fish Food at PetCo
Up to 40% Off Carefresh Pet Bedding - PetCo
Save Up to 40% Off Carefresh Pet Bedding at PetCo
10% Off Spring Apparel & Toys - PetCo
Get 10% Off Spring Apparel & Toys at PetCo
Up to 37% off Pet Gates - PetCo
Save Up to 37% off Pet Gates at PetCo
Up to 30% Off Petmate Fountains and Waterers - PetCo
Save Up to 30% Off Petmate Fountains and Waterers at PetCo
Wherever They Call Home: Up to 40% off - PetCo
Check Out Wherever They Call Home: Up to 40% off at PetCo
$8 off orders of $80 or more - PetCo
Use this online coupon to get $8 off orders of $80 or more at PetCo
Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more - PetCo
Enjoy Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more at PetCo
$5 off your $50 order - SkyMall
Take $5 off your $50 order at SkyMall! Use coupon code W2233.
$10 off your $100 merchandise purchase - SkyMall
Take $10 off your $100 merchandise purchase at SkyMall! Use code coupon W2232.
10% off your order - SkyMall
Get 10% off your order at SkyMall! Use coupon code W2231.
$5 Off All Orders Over $100 - Big Al's Online
Use coupon code ATSAVE5 at checkout to get $5 Off All Orders Over $100 at Big Al's Online
Free Shipping on orders over $75 - Big Al's Online
Enjoy Free Shipping on orders over $75 at Big Al's Online
Free shipping on orders over $75 - Wysong Pet Food
Celebrate Spring Savings with Wysong! Get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75 today with code SPRING2010 at checkout!
Save 5% off for First Time Customers - Only Natural Pet Store
Use coupon code <strong>CJ15</strong> during checkout to get 5% off no minimum for new customers at Only Natural Pet Store
Save 5% on orders over $75 - Only Natural Pet Store
Save 5% on orders over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store
Special offers - Horse.com
Sign up and receive special offers from Horse.com.
Everyday low shipping - Horse.com
Check out everyday low shipping items from Horse.com.
Clearance Sale - Ferret.com
Save an extra savings at Clearance Sale from Ferret.com.
Clearance Sale - Fish.com
Check out the Clearance Sale from Fish.com.
Everyday low shipping - Fish.com
Get Everyday low shipping from Fish.com.
Shop Best sellers - Nimli
Shop Best sellers at Nimli
Check out the New Arrivals - Nimli
Check out the New Arrivals at Nimli
Check out the Sale of the Week - Nimli
Check out the Sale of the Week at Nimli
Free shipping over $100 - Nimli
Free shipping over $100 at Nimli
Sign up for email updates - Nimli
Sign up for email updates at Nimli
Free Shipping on orders over $49 - Petscriptions.com
Enjoy Free Shipping on orders over $49 at Petscriptions.com
$10 off $100 - Pet Food Direct
Save $10 off $100 with code PER10OFF2 at Pet Food Direct
15% off ALL Pet Treats - Pet Food Direct
Save 15% off ALL Pet Treats with code PERTRTS3 at Pet Food Direct
25% off ALL Supplements and Vitamins - Pet Food Direct
Save 25% off ALL Supplements and Vitamins with code PER25SUP1 at Pet Food Direct
15% off Auto Ship - Every Time - Pet Food Direct
Save 15% off Auto Ship - Every Time at Pet Food Direct
$10 off orders of $85 - National Pet Pharmacy
Use coupon code SAVE1085 at checkout to get $10 off orders of $85 at National Pet Pharmacy
Save $5 off any order $40 or More - National Pet Pharmacy
Use coupon code SAVE540 at checkout to save $5 off orders of $40 or more at National Pet Pharmacy
$4.95 Everyday Shipping - AQUACAVE.COM
For the limited time we are offering $4.95 shipping promotion where most orders ship with only $4.95 shipping fees.
5% OFF on your entire order at AQUACAVE.com - AQUACAVE.COM
Save 5% off on your entire order including sale items. Applies to orders $75.00 or more. Can be combined with our FREE SHIPPING offer on orders over $175.00
Save 25% on Magnavore Simplicity chemical reactor - AQUACAVE.COM
Save 25% on Magnavore Simplicity chemical reactor.
15% off Koralia Powerheads - AQUACAVE.COM
15% off Koralia Powerheads. Koralia is a new innovative range of aquarium circulation pumps.
Free Shipping on all orders over $75 - Jake's Dog House
Get Free Shipping on all orders over $75 at Jake's Dog House
10% off any order - Jake's Dog House
Use coupon code <strong>VIPCUSTOMER</strong> during checkout to save 10% off any order.
FREE SHIPPING On Orders Of $75 Or More - Meijer
Create An Account & Get FREE SHIPPING On Orders Of $75 Or More at Meijer
Save up to 25% - 1-800-PetMeds
Save up to 25% at 1800PetMeds - America's Largest Pet Pharmacy
Gifts for dogs and dog lovers - Dog.com
Check out the Gifts for dogs and dog lovers from Dog.com.
Clearance Deals - Dog.com
Check out the Clearance Deals from Dog.com.
Free shipping on orders over $49.99 - Dog.com
Get Free shipping on orders over $49.99 from Dog.com.
FREE SHIPPING on Flea & Tick Department order - National Pet Pharmacy
Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on the Flea & Tick Department order at National Pet Pharmacy
Free Shipping on 650 Flea & Tick Products - Pet Food Direct
Free Shipping on 650 Flea & Tick Products at Pet Food Direct
Choose All Natural Dog Training Treats - Three Dog Bakery
Choose All Natural Dog Training Treats at Three Dog Bakery
Choose All Natural Cat Treats - Three Dog Bakery
Choose All Natural Cat Treats at Three Dog Bakery
Choose Reduced Calorie Food & Treats - Three Dog Bakery
Choose Reduced Calorie Food & Treats at Three Dog Bakery
Choose All Natural Dog Food - Three Dog Bakery
Choose All Natural Dog Food at Three Dog Bakery
$8.95 Ground shipping on orders of $20 to $35 - Three Dog Bakery
Pay $8.95 Ground shipping on orders of $20 to $35 at Three Dog Bakery
Pay $6.95 shipping on All orders under $20 - Three Dog Bakery
Pay $6.95 Ground shipping on All orders under $20 at Three Dog Bakery
Sign up for Tummy Rub Club Today - Three Dog Bakery
Sign up for Tummy Rub Club Today and be entered to win Free treats for a year at Three Dog Bakery
Wysong Health Supplements - Wysong Pet Food
Check out the Wysong Health Supplements from Wysong Pet Food.
Wysong Healthy Food and Snacks - Wysong Pet Food
Check out the Wysong Healthy Food and Snacks from Wysong Pet Food.
Sale: save up to 85% off - Ferret.com
Sale: save up to 85% off at Ferret.com
Sale : Save up to 70% off - Fish.com
Sale : Save up to 70% off at Fish.com
Gift Certificates - Drs. Foster & Smith
The Perfect Gift for Pet Owners- Gift Certificates from Drs. Foster and Smith
Free Shipping on over 100 - PetSmart
Get Free Shipping on over 100 non-prescription health care products.
Best Sellers - Lakeside Collection
Check out the Best sellers every day from Lakeside Collection.
Introductory offer only $17.99 - Wysong Pet Food
Get Introductory offer only $17.99 plus $9.99 flat rate shipping from Wysong Pet Food.
15% off any order - Jake's Dog House
Use coupon code FIRST15 during checkout to save 15% off any order.
5% off any order - Pet Mountain
Save 5% off any order at Pet Mountain
Free Shipping on orders over $150 - Pet Mountain
Orders over $150 instantly receive Free Shipping excluding HI & AK - (No Coupon Required) at Pet Mountain
Free shipping on all orders over $99 - Total Pet Supply
Get Free shipping on all orders over $99 from Total Pet Supply.
The Flea, Tick & Heartworm Sale - 1-800-PetMeds
The Flea, Tick & Heartworm Sale is on now! Prices have dropped from $3 to $20 on various Flea, Tick, and Heartworm products from 1-800-PetMeds.
Save on Aquarium Supplies - Drs. Foster & Smith
Last Chance for Our BIGGEST Sale of the Year! Save on Aquarium Supplies at the Sizzlin' Summer Sale!
Cat Treats at the Sizzlin Summer Sale - Drs. Foster & Smith
Last Chance for Our BIGGEST Sale of the Year! Save on Select Cat Treats at the Sizzlin' Summer Sale!
BIGGEST Sale - Drs. Foster & Smith
Last Chance for Our BIGGEST Sale of the Year! Save on Hundreds of Items at Our Sizzlin' Summer Sale!
Save 80% on Advantage for dogs - Total Pet Supply
Save 80% on Advantage for dogs from Total Pet Supply.
Refer and get $10 - Total Pet Supply
Every referral you send to Total Pet Supply, your account will be credited $10 after the referral’s first order!
Save $25 - Total Pet Supply
With eBillme, you can save $25 on your orders at Total Pet Supply.
Save 80% on Pet Meds & Free Shipping - Total Pet Supply
Save 80% on Pet Meds and Free Shipping at Total Pet Supply.
Coupon Registration - Tractor Supply Company
Please complete the following short registration form to get your coupon by email from Tractor Supply Company.
$4.99 shipping on orders over $75 - Tractor Supply Company
Get $4.99 shipping on orders over $75 from Tractor Supply Company.
Pay $15 to support children's future - National Wildlife Federation
Go Green! Support the National Wildlife Federation protect America's wildlife for our children's future for only $15!
Go Green with a membership to NWF - National Wildlife Federation
Go Green With A Membership To NWF!Your $15 donation includes a 1-year subscription to National Wildlife magazine.
Free Shipping with your Meijer MasterCard - Meijer
Enjoy Free Shipping with your Meijer MasterCard or Meijer Credit Card at Meijer
Super Pet on Sale - Orvis
Super Pet Sale at Orvis
$5.99 Flat Rate shipping - PetSmart
Get $5.99 Flat Rate shipping on orders of $60 or more from PETsMART.
Shop Specials :Save up to 60% off - SitStay
Shop Specials :Save up to 60% off at SitStay
Take 10% on your next order - SitStay
Take 10% on your next order when using coupon code <strong>DOGLOVER</strong> during checkout at SitStay
10% off your order - SkyMall
Take 10% off your order from SkyMall.
Clearance Sale - Sierra Trading Post
Take 60-90% off selected items at Sierra Trading Post.
Save up to 50% off ! - PetCareRx
Save up to 50% when you buy the best flea & tick products at PetCareRx at PetCareRx
Sierra Trading Post Rewards Visa Platinum Card! - Sierra Trading Post
Apply now for this Sierra Trading Post Rewards Visa Platinum Card, and you can tap into exclusive savings online, get free shipping on all orders and you can earn $25 rewards gift card for every 2,500 points acquired.See site for details.
Save 15% on select dog flea and tick products - PetSmart
Save 15% on select dog flea and tick products from PETsMART.
Save 35%-70% everyday - Sierra Trading Post
Save 35%-70% everyday at Sierra Trading Post.
$5 off plus Free shipping on orders over $39 - 1-800-PetMeds
Take $5 off plus Free shipping on orders over $39 at 1-800-PetMeds.
Sign up for special offers - PetSmart
Sign up for special offers and product news at PETsMART.
Save $10.00 on 6 PACK Joint MAX - EntirelyPets
Use coupon code JOINTDS6120 at checkout to save $10 off 6 PACK Joint MAX at EntirelyPets
Free Regular Bonies Dog Treat with order over $25 - EntirelyPets
Use coupon code LGBONIES at checkout to get Free Regular Bonies Dog Treat with order over $25 at EntirelyPets
Get 90% off Your Vet Bill Covered - PetCo
Get 90% off&nbsp; Your Vet Bill Covered at PetCo
$5 flat shipping - Dog Toys
Get $5 flat shippingon all orders at Dog Toys.
Lakeside collection offers - Lakeside Collection
Browse through the stylish selection of apparel items including: activewear, tops, sweaters, sweatshirts, sleepwear, baby clothes, skirts and dresses at Lakeside Collection.
15% Off Each Home Item - Meijer
Use promotional code <strong>home15mc</strong> during checkout to get 15% Off Each Home Item When Using your Meijer Credit Card at Meijer.
$5 off $50 - SkyMall
Use coupon code <strong>ENT5</strong> during checkout to save $5 off your orders over $50 at SkyMall.
$25 off $150 - SkyMall
Use coupon code <strong>ENT25</strong> during checkout to save $25 off your orders over $150 at SkyMall.
$15 off $100 - SkyMall
Use coupon code <strong>ENT15</strong> during checkout to get $15 off $100 at SkyMall.
Free Shipping on Orders Over $75 - Only Natural Pet Store
Free Shipping on Orders Over $75 at Only Natural Pet Store
Free Shipping on orders over $39 - 1-800-PetMeds
Get Free Shipping on orders over $39 at 1-800-PetMeds.
Free Shipping on orders over $100 - Dog Toys
Free Shipping on orders over $100 at Dog Toys
Save on Pet Gear - Sierra Trading Post
Save on Pet Gear at Sierra Trading Post.
Clearance Outlet - Drs. Foster & Smith
Save up to 50% during Clearance Sale at Drs. Foster & Smith.
Cat food sale - Drs. Foster & Smith
Save 50% on case packs of 24 at Drs. Foster & Smith.
New Drs Foster and Smith VISA card - Drs. Foster & Smith
Apply for instant credit and earn points on your next purchase with the new Drs. Foster and Smith Chase Visa Card.
Complimentary Shipping on any order of $75 or more - Kiehl's
Use coupon code KIEHL at checkout to Get Complimentary Shipping on any order of $75 or more at Kiehl's.
Free & Fast Shipping on orders over $100 - EntirelyPets
Get <font face="Arial">Free & Fast Shipping on orders over $100 at EntirelyPets</font>
Save 10% on pet supply deliveries - Only Natural Pet Store
Save 10% on pet supply deliveries at only Natural Pet Store
Special items at National Pet Pharmacy - National Pet Pharmacy
Get Special items at National Pet Pharmacy: Fashion Pet Alpine Ski Sweater Red for $8.49 and more
Flea Killer at America's Most Affordable Pharmacy - PetCareRx
Order Program Flea Killer from America’s Most Affordable Pharmacy -- PetCareRx.
Advantage & Advantix Flea Killer - PetCareRx
Advantage & Advantix Flea Killer Plus - Guaranteed lowest prices at PetCareRx.
Guaranteed lowest prices on Frontline - PetCareRx
Guaranteed lowest prices on Frontline and Frontline Plus at America's Most Affordable Pet Pharmacy - PetCareRx.
Up to 50% off your Pet's Flea and Tick Medications - PetCareRx
Protect your pet from fleas & ticks. Save up to 50% when you buy the best flea & tick products at PetCareRx.

in the brain, radiologists are acquiring the fMRI image. Then, when that is complete, radiologists take the patient immediately to the PET scanner, to retrieve the PET image.

"We have both machines available to us and have now put them together in a way that works," adds Newberg. "We can take the results of the simultaneous fMRI and PET scans and come up with two separate results and compare them for a new look at the brain. Using this technique, you capture the exact same moment in the brain with both scans. It will help to show us what the relationship is between metabolism and blood flow. Do those two really match up in large majority of conditions?"

Newberg said one goal of this new simultaneous fMRI-PET scan is to better understand the effect of certain medications on the brain and body. The clinical research for this study has been conducted through the PET Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and through the Center for Functional Neuroimaging (CFN), known for its excellence in multi-disciplinary brain imaging.



University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Article Sources:
• ScienceDaily: Penn Researchers Discover The Powerful Tool Of ...
• Penn Researchers Discover the Powerful Tool of Simultaneous fMRI ...
• Penn Researchers Discover the Powerful Tool of Simultaneous fMRI ...
• Free Articles and Content Generator for Webmasters