Biochemistry of Medical Imaging

The course of Imaging Biochemistry aims to acquire knowledge and skills on how it is possible through different
imaging techniques obtain specific information about the different metabolic pathways of different tissues and
organs , which are the basis of possible uses in imaging.
So the student must :
1. Have knowledge in physiology, biochemistry and cell biology to better understand the molecular mechanisms
that explain the usefulness of the radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical practice or under development.
2. Know the specific metabolic characteristics of different tissues that underlie the use of different techniques of
medical imaging
3. have skills to select a particular metabolic target that can be used in order to obtain an image that reflects a
metabolic activity.
4. Competences to identify the underlying imaging changes to a pathological condition

1. Musculoskeletal System
a. Calcium-phosphate metabolism
b. Radiopharmaceuticals for bone scintigraphy (SPECT and PET)
2. Central Nervous System
a. Vascularization, Metabolism, Neuronal Activity
b. Brain Pathology – Biochemical Changes
c. SPECT and PET Radiopharmaceuticals
3. Endocrine System
a. Iodine metabolism
b. Neuroendocrine Tumors
c. SPECT and PET Radiopharmaceuticals
4. Inflammation / Infection.
a. Biochemistry of Inflammation / Infection
b. Radiopharmaceuticals for detection of Inflammation / Infection – SPECT and PET
5. Hepatobiliary system
a. Biochemistry of Hepatocyte
b. Radiopharmaceuticals for liver image Liver – SPECT

6. Cardiovascular system
a. Carbohydrate Metabolism
b. Metabolism of cardiomyocytes
c. SPECT and PET Radiopharmaceuticals
7. Tumor cell metabolism
a. Biochemistry Cell Tumor
b. Applications in Medical Imaging – SPECT and PET
8. Spectroscopy on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging
a. Tumor metabolism
b. Brain metabolism

NAO