With the advent of more sensitive PET scanners in recent years, reductions in scan times and injected activity have made clinical imaging research more amenable to pediatric patients in spite of unique challenges with patient motion and sedation for many younger children. Several PET tracers that are well validated in the adult population have never been translated to pediatric use, and facilitating their application in this setting is a major goal of our group. An overview of our recent efforts addressing PET imaging in catastrophic pediatric diseases will be shared. In addition to the synthesis optimization of known tracers, we have tackled synthesis of a C-11-labeled drug candidate for the treatment of PKAN, a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disease. Development of this novel tracer allowed imaging that confirmed concerns about corneal toxicity for investigators developing the drug.

Research progress and possibilities in PET imaging for pediatric applications

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.