Foreword

Biomedical imaging has developed from early, simple uses of X-rays for
diagnosis of fractures and detection of foreign bodies into a compendium
of powerful techniques, not only for patient care but also for the study
of biological structure and function, and for addressing fundamental questions in biomedicine. Technological developments in digital radiography,
X-ray computed tomography (CT), nuclear (including positron emission
tomography (PET)), ultrasound, optical and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) have produced a spectrum of methods for interrogating intact
3-dimensional bodies non-invasively. A variety of new microscopies has also
flourished, making use of novel phenomena such as non-linear photon
interactions and the sensing of atomic forces at surfaces. Imaging
can provide uniquely valuable information about tissue composition,
morphology and function, as well as quantitative descriptions of many
fundamental biological processes. In recent years, biomedical imaging
science has matured into a distinct and coherent set of ideas and concepts,
and it has attained a position of central importance in much medical
research. Continuing developments in imaging technology, as well as other
sciences such as molecular biology and nanotechnology, have expanded the
applications of imaging to new areas such as the study of gene expression
or the functional organization of the brain. In this volume, a number
of important recent developments in biomedical imaging science are
described, and the rationale for the increasing role of imaging specialists
in biomedical research and clinical medicine is well illustrated. In
particular, numerous examples are provided of how imaging is evolving
from qualitative visual depictions of anatomy into a science that contributes
quantitative measurements of a variety of biomedical processes.
Imaging science connotes a dynamic, evolving field of multi-and interdisciplinary activities that incorporate at least three distinct types of
endeavor, irrespective of any specific modality. First, imaging science seeks
to develop and improve imaging technology to provide new or better
information (e.g new ways (such as functional MRI) to detect and map
neural activity in the brain): imaging scientists are constantly producing
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Foreword

novel instrumentation or modifying techniques to achieve, for example,

images with higher spatial resolution, or acquired in shorter times, or which
make use of some new type of interaction of tissues with an externally
applied energy field. These developments are sometimes self-guided and
based on the realization of how technology can be improved, but sometimes
they are demanded because of specific needs in medicine. Second, imaging
science develops understanding of the information content of imaging
metrics and the factors (physical and biological) that affect them (e.g. what
determines the magnitude of the signals recorded in fMRI experiments, and
how are they related to underlying neural activity?): the interpretation of
image information, the robustness of inferences made from images, and the
ability to develop new applications or guide new technical developments
depends strongly on being able to relate the physical phenomena detected
from which images are constructed to underlying properties of biological
media of interest. Third, imaging science develops applications that use
information derived from images for both research and clinical uses (e.g.
using fMRI to differentiate sub-classes of neuropsychiatric disorders, or to
guide surgical procedures): new applications may be encouraged by the
previous two types of activity, or they may simply develop empirically.
Imaging science has grown enormously in scope and importance in recent
years. Major technical advances continue to be made in all modalities,
while the development of faster, more powerful computers has led to
advanced methods of image analysis and processing algorithms that can be
used to extract valuable, quantitative information from images, such as
measurements of the dimensions of specific brain structures. The mining of
large image databases using informatics approaches is now showing how
to relate multidimensional data such as genotype and structure. Moreover,
these technological developments have occurred in parallel with other
major advances, especially in cellular and molecular biology, with the result
that a variety of molecular probes and contrast agents have evolved to
propel cellular and molecular imaging to the forefront of biological research.
The ability to detect, diagnose and monitor pathological, physiological and
molecular changes by imaging is of fundamental importance for the
management of disease, for personalized interventions, and in basic
biological research.
Imaging can embrace many scales of application, from cells and tissue
specimens to genetically-modified mice, through to in vivo human studies,
as illustrated by the contents of this volume. Imaging science now extends
much beyond the traditional discipline of clinical radiology. Many medical
centers have established research-dedicated animal and human imaging
facilities that incorporate different modalities. Pharmaceutical companies
routinely use imaging in the development of new drugs, as imaging provides
unique information on responses to compounds non-invasively.

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It is instructive to consider some of the recent trends in imaging science.

Clearly there has been a continuing evolution of imaging technologies, e.g.
higher field MRI, volumetric CT scanning, hybrid imaging (PET-CT, PETMR), and an increasing role of radiological imaging in patient diagnosis,
management and for guiding therapies. However, it should be emphasized
that imaging has been increasingly embraced by researchers driven by more
fundamental questions in biology and medicine. Several recent advances in
imaging techniques build on advances in other biological sciences, e.g.
molecular biology, or new discoveries such as nanotechnology. These have
influenced some of the trends of the recent past, which include (i) using
imaging to study function or other properties rather than just anatomy, e.g.
mapping brain function, or measuring metabolism: (ii) development of
specialized imaging equipment for animals, e.g. genetically-modified mice
or awake, non-human primates: (iii) development of molecular imaging
probes to assess cellular processes, e.g. novel PET or optical ligands: (iv) a
push towards the use of quantitative imaging measurements as objective
indices of tissues, e.g. mapping regional blood flow in absolute units: and
increasingly (v) the development of image databases and use of informatics
tools for data-mining and interrogating image information integrated with
electronic health and other records such as genomic data, e.g. the correlation
of genetic polymorphisms with anatomic and functional brain variations to
identify genetic risk factors of psychiatric disorders. In distinction from
more traditional radiological scientists trained in, for example, physics or
engineering, todays imaging science trainees must become experts in
devising and relating image-based biomarkers to fundamental questions in
biology, metabolism, genotyping or similar fields. This volume will be a
useful handbook for those engaged in these exciting endeavors and is a
comprehensive reminder of the wide range of activities embraced by
modern biomedical imaging science.
John C. Gore
Vanderbilt University of Imaging Science