Imaging of the dopamine system with focus on pharmacological MRI and neuromelanin imaging

The dopamine system in the brain is involved a variety of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder psychosis. Different aspects can be visualized measured with positron emission tomography (PET) single photon computed (SPECT), including receptors, transporters, release. New developments MR imaging also provide proxy measures brain, offering alternatives advantages imaging, i.e. no radiation, lower costs, usually less invasive time consuming. This review will give an overview these focus on most developed techniques: pharmacological MRI (phMRI) neuromelanin sensitive (NM-MRI). PhMRI collective term for functional techniques that administer challenge to assess its effects hemodynamics. By doing so, it indirectly assesses neurotransmitter function function. NM-MRI upcoming technique enables vivo visualization semi-quantification substantia nigra. Neuromelanin located cell bodies dopaminergic neurons nigrostriatal pathway used measure long or degeneration neurons. Both are still primarily clinical research, but there promise application, particular neurodegenerative diseases like disease.