Imaging in neurology research I: Neurooncology

Abstract

Combining non-invasive imaging methodology with animal brain tumour models provides unique opportunities to understand tumour biology and pathophysiology. Small animal imaging in neurooncology comprises a strong tool, not only to evaluate temporal and spatial dynamics of tumour-associated anatomical, functional and molecular events, but also to design and test therapeutic strategies that may afterwards be implemented in clinical practice and influence patient's outcome. This chapter will give an overview of the recent developments in the application of small animal imaging in neurooncology. Particular emphasis has been placed on the use of MRI, PET/SPECT and OI, since these approaches had the most significant impact on small animal cancer research in recent years. The role of these imaging techniques to evaluate tumour biology and monitor the in vivo efficacy of new therapeutic intervention strategies such as molecular-targeted, gene and cell-based therapies, as well as to characterize factors that influence chemo- or radioresistance, will be discussed. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.