A PET/CT scan combines two techniques: PET shows how organs and tissues function, while CT provides a detailed image of the body's structure. For this, the patient receives a small amount of a radioactive substance (tracer) that emits radiation. This process generates photons, tiny light particles, which are captured by the scanner and converted into an image. This helps diagnose and monitor diseases such as cancer, heart conditions, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Due to the radiation exposure, these scans are used less frequently in children, pregnant women, and in research that requires healthy volunteers such as for the development of new medications and treatments. Tsoumpas' research focuses on lowering the radiation dose so that more people can safely benefit from this technique.
In the first phase, scientists will investigate how CT images can be enhanced using AI while utilizing a lower radiation dose. Less radiation means fewer photons, which typically results in more noise in the image. The researchers aim to determine whether existing PET/CT scanners can be sufficiently adapted or if new technologies are required.
Tsoumpas explains: ‘In the second phase, we will explore whether this method also works for PET scans. This is more complex because, unlike CT, PET does not just capture a single moment but also shows how the tracer moves through the body. Additionally, the patient may move during scanning, for example, due to breathing, which can distort the image. AI needs to correct these distortions to ensure the scan remains clear and reliable.’
The researchers expect to see the first results within three years. ‘If the method works, the PET/CT radiation dose could potentially be reduced by a factor of 30 while maintaining image quality. This would not only lead to safer diagnostics but also accelerate the development of new medicines’, says Tsoumpas.
Vici is one of the largest personal scientific grants in the Netherlands and is aimed at advanced researchers who are free to propose their own research projects for funding. The Vici grants are awarded annually by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and only 5 of these grants are awarded across the entire domain of Applied and Engineering Sciences. The Vici grant is intended for highly experienced researchers who have successfully demonstrated their ability to develop an innovative research line and who can act as mentors for young researchers.
