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Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems

NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

open
OpenLast verified: 2026-06-20

About This Grant

Applications of brain Positron Emission Tomography (PET) have been in place for over 40 years. The combination of quantitative PET systems with novel radiotracers has led to numerous imaging paradigms for understanding normal and pathological brain physiology and pharmacology. Brain-dedicated PET systems offer important advantages over currently available PET systems in terms of sensitivity and resolution. Funded by a BRAIN Initiative grant, we developed the NeuroEXPLORER (NX), an ultra-high performance brain PET system. To date, human results have produced exceptional image quality and the delineation of small brain nuclei. The system's performance derives from its long axial field of view, small crystal elements, depth of interaction measurement, and excellent time-of-flight resolution. This proposal takes the next steps to optimize system performance including accuracy and precision, expand on the capabilities for dynamic PET with tracer kinetic modeling, and demonstrate the real-world performance with a wide range of PET radiopharmaceuticals. The proposal includes the following Aims. Specific Aim 1: Optimize key aspects of the system performance and reconstruction methodology to maximize image quality and minimize noise. We will further optimize and improve rigid and non-rigid motion correction, investigate impact of detector crosstalk and corrections, and develop reconstruction methods with practical computation times. Specific Aim 2: Develop and extend the capabilities of the NX for dynamic analysis using tracer kinetic modeling. Our initial assessment of extracting image-derived input functions from the carotid arteries has been very successful, and we will further validate this approach against arterial blood samples with a large cohort study using multiple radiopharmaceuticals that are commonly used in research and have potential clinical impact. We will also develop and validate methods to estimate the radiopharmaceutical metabolite corrections using population modeling and kinetic analysis strategies. In addition, the ultra-high resolution and sensitivity of the NX allows the reassessment of optimal modeling methods, which will be explored for tracers with challenging spatiotemporal distributions. Specific Aim 3: Real-world performance of human brain scans. We will further develop our 3D printing methods to generate a full-brain phantom and use it to compare to other PET systems. We will facilitate access of this phantom to other sites with novel brain PET systems. To truly optimize NX human imaging, we will perform test/retest studies with multiple radiopharmaceuticals and compare NX images to those of a current state-of- the-art whole-body system (Siemens Vision). This work will demonstrate the significance of the NX's performance characteristics and enable harmonization with conventional PET/CT scanners. In addition, we will perform brain activation studies using functional PET in a paradigm targeting the olfactory system, which is highly relevant in the early manifestations of neurodegenerative disorders.

Grant Summary

Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems is a NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering grant providing up to $664K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2030-02-28 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.

Focus Areas

health research

Eligibility

universitynonprofithealthcare org

How to Apply

Funding Range

Up to $664K

Deadline

2030-02-28

Complexity
High
  1. 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems from NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
  2. 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
  3. 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
  4. 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering before the deadline.
This record is a past award, contract, or funder profile — useful for research, but not an open grant application. Check the original source for current opportunities from this funder.

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Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems?

Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems is offered by NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.

How much funding does the Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems provide?

Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems provides up to $664K per award from NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.

When is the Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems deadline?

Applications for Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems are due 2030-02-28 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.

How do you apply for the Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems?

To apply for Fulfilling the potential of next generation brain PET imaging systems, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIBIB - National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

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