Positron Emission Tomography—A New Approach to Brain Chemistry
- Council on Scientific Affairs
Abstract
Positron emission tomography permits examination of the chemistry of the brain in living human beings. Until recently, positron emission tomography had been considered a research tool, but it is rapidly moving into clinical practice. This report describes the uses and applications of positron emission tomography in examinations of patients with strokes, epilepsy, malignancies, dementias, and schizophrenia and in basic studies of synaptic neurotransmission.
(JAMA 1988;260:2704-2710)
Footnotes
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Presented to the American Medical Association House of Delegates at the 1987 Annual Meeting as an informational report.
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This report is not intended to be construed or to serve as a standard of medical care. Standards of medical care are determined on the basis of all of the facts and circumstances involved in an individual case and are subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and patterns of practice evolve. This report reflects the views of scientific literature as of February 1987.
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Reprint requests to the Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association, 535 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610 (William R. Hendee, PhD).
