Systems and methods for follow-up functional imaging

An imaging system comprising:

• an imaging detector system configured to acquire a first functional image data set of a patient, and to acquire a second functional image data set of the patient at a follow-up time subsequent to the obtaining of the first functional image data set;
• at least one processor configured to:
• generate a local change map using the first functional image data set and the second functional image data set;
• generate a mutual structural similarity map using the first functional image data set and the second functional image data set;
• generate a significant-response map using the local change map and the mutual structural similarity map;
• and
• a display unit configured to display the significant-response map.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

• obtain a first functional image data set of a patient from a first time;
• obtain a second functional image data set of the patient at a follow-up time subsequent to the obtaining of the first functional image data set;
• generate a local change map using the first functional image data set and the second functional image data set;
• generate a mutual structural similarity map using the first functional image data set and the second functional image data set;
• generate a significant-response map using the local change map and the mutual structural similarity map;
• and
• display the significant-response map.