[A new method for measurement of both regional cerebral blood flow and distribution volume using N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) and SPECT].

We developed a new method (functional IMP SPECT) to quantitate both regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and distribution volume (Vd) using 123I-IMP and SPECT based on a 2- compartment model (influx; K1 =rCBF and outflux; k2). This method requires one arterial blood sampling at 5 min after injection of the tracer and two SPECT scans at 30 min and 60 min. It takes approximately 60 min for total measurements. The integration of arterial input function is estimated by one blood sample taken at 5 min after injection of the tracer without octanol treatment, by using the correlation between one blood sample and the integration, which was obtained from studies on 25 subjects. With the value of integration, K1 and Vd are calculated from the data of two SPECT scans by using the mathematical functions based on the 2-compartment model, which were obtained from studies on 12 subjects. In the practical range of K1 (0.3-0.7 ml/g/min) and Vd (15-35 ml/g) given in the 2-compartment model, statistical errors of K1 and Vd obtained by the functional IMP SPECT were evaluated at approximately 14.0% and 17.2%, respectively. In clinical studies for eight subjects including two healthy volunteers, three patients with cerebral infarction and three patients with degenerative disease, K1 and Vd values estimated by the functional IMP SPECT were significantly correlated with those estimated by non-linear least squares fitting analysis based on the 2-compartment model, and the mean errors of K1 and Vd estimated by the functional IMP SPECT were approximately 8.0% and 11.2% respectively, suggesting the validity of the new method. We conclude that the functional IMP SPECT is clinically useful because of the accuracy, less-invasiveness and convenience.