The recent development of noninvasive radionuclide and hybrid imaging
systems may promote preclinical cardiovascular research. Molecular imaging advances
beyond the traditional imaging paradigm of detecting morphological contrasts and aims
to explore the physiological and pathological molecular processes at cellular and subcellular
levels within intact living subjects. Molecular imaging typically uses targeted
tracers that bind specific molecular targets with high affinity. Single-photon emission
computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) provide
distinct advantages over morphological imaging modalities regarding the detection of
signals on a molecular level. Monitoring of small rodent animal models of cardiac
diseases utilizing noninvasive imaging is a unique approach and is essential to further
understand the dynamic processes of diseases. Here, we review the applications of
SPECT and PET in small animal research.
Keywords: Molecular imaging, PET, SPECT, Small rodent.
