| pubmed-article:1670391 | pubmed:abstractText | Positron emission tomography (PET) has been used mostly for the study of brain blood flow and metabolism in normal controls and in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions. With the appropriate radiotracers, PET also allows non-invasive imaging and quantification of a growing list of neuroreceptors. 11C-carfentanil and 11C-diprenorphine, 2 potent opiate ligands, have been used to label opiate receptors in vivo in man. Some advantages and limitations of this technique are discussed. PET is a unique tool that could help us understand, at the receptor level, some biochemical aspects of addiction to opiate drugs. Specific questions can be answered, but carefully designed protocols are required. | lld:pubmed |
