Simplifying [F]GE-179 PET: are both arterial blood sampling and 90-min acquisitions essential?

INTRODUCTION

The NMDA receptor radiotracer [F]GE-179 has been used with 90-min scans and arterial plasma input functions. We explored whether (1) arterial blood sampling is avoidable and (2) shorter scans are feasible.

METHODS

For 20 existing [F]GE-179 datasets, we generated (1) standardised uptake values (SUVs) over eight intervals; (2) volume of distribution (V) images using population-based input functions (PBIFs), scaled using one parent plasma sample; and (3) V images using three shortened datasets, using the original parent plasma input functions (ppIFs).

RESULTS

Correlations with the original ppIF-derived 90-min Vs increased for later interval SUVs (maximal ρ = 0.78; 80-90 min). They were strong for PBIF-derived Vs (ρ = 0.90), but between-subject coefficient of variation increased. Correlations were very strong for the 60/70/80-min original ppIF-derived Vs (ρ = 0.97-1.00), which suffered regionally variant negative bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Where arterial blood sampling is available, reduction of scan duration to 60 min is feasible, but with negative bias. The performance of SUVs was more consistent across participants than PBIF-derived Vs.