Preclinical imaging

Abstract

This chapter provides the reader with an introductory look into the significance of preclinical imaging relative to human medicine. The concept of translating preclinical research to the clinical realm is presented with a focus on the primary human disease model, the mouse. Here, the term Small Animal Imaging (SAI) is used to describe preclinical imaging of mice. The fundamental operating principles of the various SAI technologies and primary differences with their clinical counterparts are described. First generation and state-of-the-art instruments are reviewed as well as the utility of combining these technologies into multimodality instruments. Considerations in small animal use, such as anesthesia and radiation dose are followed by a brief look at SAI center design. The application of SAI in the areas of cardiology, neurology, and oncology are reviewed and finally, a perspective on the future of SAI is given. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review, but rather a primer for the biomedical student or researcher to become familiarized with the overall field of preclinical imaging. For further information the reader is referred to external sources of literature. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.