Time-varying kinetic modeling of high temporal-resolution dynamic pet data for multiparametric imaging

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• acquire, via positron emission tomography (PET), a first set of images of at least a portion of a body after a single tracer is introduced into the body, wherein the first set of images is acquired at a first plurality of predetermined time intervals;
• based on the first set of images, determine an intensity of the tracer in the at least the portion of the body as a function of time;
• model the intensity of the tracer in the at least the portion of the body as a function of time using a time-varying kinetic model;
• and
• based on the time-varying kinetic model of the single tracer, quantify (1) blood flow through the at least the portion of the body and (2) one or more of a glucose metabolism, an uptake of amino acid transporters, an amyloid load, or an expression of somatostatin receptors in the at least the portion of the body.