PET stands for positron emission tomography, an imaging method that detects positrons, which are subatomic particles, emitted by radioactive substances introduced into the body. This technique generates images showcasing the metabolic and chemical activities of tissues.
Specific compounds involved in the body’s biochemical reactions, like glucose or oxygen, are marked with radioactive isotopes and then introduced into the bloodstream. Tissues that are more active or have heightened metabolic rates absorb these compounds in higher amounts. As these substances emit positrons, they give off photons captured by the scanner. This data is then processed by a computer to produce color-coded images representing varying degrees of tissue activity.
PET scans are employed to identify brain tumors, pinpoint epileptic activity in the brain, and assess brain functionality in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and mental disorders, including depression.