¹⁸F-Labeled Tracers for Positron Emission Tomography Studies in the Neurosciences

Fluorine-18 is a positron emitting isotope of fluorine. It has the longest half-life (110 minute) and the lowest positron energy (0.635 Mev) of the four common positron emitters for positron emission tomography (PET). PET, in conjunction with appropriate radiotracers labeled with fluorine-18, has been used to assess functional activity, biochemical transformations and drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the human and animal body. The PET method, F-18 labeling of organic molecules, and some of the applications of F-18 labeled compounds in the neurosciences (brain and heart) are described.