18F-labeled biomolecules for PET studies in the neurosciences

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