Multimodal Translational Imaging

Our team is interested in assessing the integrity of brain neurotransmission pathways in humans, particularly the cholinergic neurotransmission, using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and radiopharmaceuticals selectively binding to pre- or postsynaptic molecular targets. This molecular imaging approach of cerebral neurotransmission makes it possible to explore the pathophysiology of various neurological disorders, as the one consisting of evaluating the presence of brain abnormal proteins and glucose metabolisms deficits. In addition, in order to better understand how neurotransmission systems modulate cortico-subcortical loops, a multimodal PET and MRI approach, making it possible to relate PET to functional connectivity data, is carried out.

Our second research axis aims at targeting neuropeptide receptors, which can be highly expressed in various tumors paving the way to PET imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT; image&treat concept). Selected neuropeptide receptors (bombesin, neurotensin, neuropeptide-Y, etc) expression is deeply characterized on bank of tumors. This expression profile represents the molecular basis to develop radiolabeled neuropeptide analogues for imaging and therapy whose radiopharmaceuticals properties are studied on tumor cells and small animals. We also pursue a translational research in performing clinical studies for PET imaging and TRT using radiolabeled neuropeptide analogues.

A third line of research consists in developing methodologies related to the quantification of PET images (pharmacokinetic modeling of MRP, image correction) or with the segmentation of tumors for the treatment of radiotherapy planning.