The role of PET imaging in the management of patients with central nervous system disorders

PET plays a critical role in both clinical and research applications with regard to central nervous system (CNS) disorders. PET is useful in the initial diagnosis of patients presenting with CNS symptoms and can help clinicians determine the best course of therapy and study the response to therapy. The various neurotransmitter and other molecular tracers currently available or in development will provide substantial information about pathophysiologic process in the brain. As such applications become more widely tested, their introduction into the clinical arena will further advance the use of PET imaging in the evaluation and management of CNS disorders.