Leuven Hospitals Deploy High-Resolution PET to Map Early Brain Disease

After six months of clinical use and 400 patient scans, the NeuroEXPLORER PET system at UZ Leuven and KU Leuven has begun providing near-millimetre resolution imaging. This technology allows clinicians to visualize neural circuits and biological processes previously inaccessible in living patients, marking a shift toward earlier diagnosis for neurodegenerative conditions.

The scanner, developed by United Imaging Healthcare, enables the identification of disease markers at their earliest stages, specifically targeting Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. By measuring chemical signals and synaptic density in small brain structures, the system offers data on tau and amyloid accumulation that standard imaging fails to capture.

Koen Van Laere, Professor of Nuclear Medicine, noted that the technology changes the investigative approach to neurological and psychiatric disorders. Beyond diagnostics, the hardware assists in surgical planning for deep brain stimulation and the resection of pituitary microtumours. Neurosurgeon Thomas Decramer emphasized that the increased resolution allows for more precise electrode placement and tumor targeting, directly impacting surgical success rates. Over the next five years, the institution plans to integrate the scanner into more than thirty large-scale research programs, focusing on brain stem nuclei and personalized treatment strategies.