Purpose This review examines the critical role of neuroimaging technologies, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), in advancing central nervous system (CNS) drug development and translational medicine. The focus is on their applications in understanding disease mechanisms, identifying biomarkers, and supporting therapeutic interventions for major CNS disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and schizophrenia. Methods The review synthesizes recent findings from peer-reviewed literature, clinical trials, and preclinical studies to highlight advancements in neuroimaging technologies and their integration into translational medicine frameworks. Trends in imaging usage, challenges in biomarker validation, and future directions, including technological innovations and artificial intelligence (AI) integration, were analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview of the field. Results Neuroimaging has proven invaluable in CNS drug development by enabling early diagnosis, patient stratification, and therapeutic monitoring. PET imaging has advanced molecular targeting, particularly with amyloid and tau tracers for Alzheimer’s disease, while MRI has provided insights into structural and functional brain changes across disorders. Despite these advancements, challenges such as the lack of validated biomarkers, high costs, and regulatory hurdles limit the full potential of neuroimaging. Emerging innovations, including ultra-high-field MRI, advanced tracers, multimodal imaging, and AI-driven analysis, show promise for overcoming these barriers and advancing precision medicine. Conclusion Neuroimaging exemplifies the principles of translational medicine, bridging preclinical discoveries with clinical applications. Its role in CNS drug development is transformative, providing tools for more efficient and targeted therapeutic strategies. As neuroimaging technologies continue to evolve, they will further enhance our ability to address the complexities of CNS disorders and improve patient outcomes. Lay Summary Neuroimaging technologies like MRI, PET, and SPECT are revolutionizing how we study and treat brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression. These tools help scientists understand disease processes, find biomarkers, and monitor how well treatments work. While challenges like high costs and limited biomarkers remain, new technologies and artificial intelligence are making imaging more powerful and accessible. This review highlights how neuroimaging is shaping the future of personalized medicine and paving the way for better treatments for brain disorders.

Advancing CNS Drug Development: the Transformative Role of Neuroimaging in Translational Medicine

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月5日

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S. Ida Evangeline,
S. Darwin

摘要

Purpose

This review examines the critical role of neuroimaging technologies, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), in advancing central nervous system (CNS) drug development and translational medicine. The focus is on their applications in understanding disease mechanisms, identifying biomarkers, and supporting therapeutic interventions for major CNS disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and schizophrenia.

Methods

The review synthesizes recent findings from peer-reviewed literature, clinical trials, and preclinical studies to highlight advancements in neuroimaging technologies and their integration into translational medicine frameworks. Trends in imaging usage, challenges in biomarker validation, and future directions, including technological innovations and artificial intelligence (AI) integration, were analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview of the field.

Results

Neuroimaging has proven invaluable in CNS drug development by enabling early diagnosis, patient stratification, and therapeutic monitoring. PET imaging has advanced molecular targeting, particularly with amyloid and tau tracers for Alzheimer’s disease, while MRI has provided insights into structural and functional brain changes across disorders. Despite these advancements, challenges such as the lack of validated biomarkers, high costs, and regulatory hurdles limit the full potential of neuroimaging. Emerging innovations, including ultra-high-field MRI, advanced tracers, multimodal imaging, and AI-driven analysis, show promise for overcoming these barriers and advancing precision medicine.

Conclusion

Neuroimaging exemplifies the principles of translational medicine, bridging preclinical discoveries with clinical applications. Its role in CNS drug development is transformative, providing tools for more efficient and targeted therapeutic strategies. As neuroimaging technologies continue to evolve, they will further enhance our ability to address the complexities of CNS disorders and improve patient outcomes.

Lay Summary

Neuroimaging technologies like MRI, PET, and SPECT are revolutionizing how we study and treat brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and depression. These tools help scientists understand disease processes, find biomarkers, and monitor how well treatments work. While challenges like high costs and limited biomarkers remain, new technologies and artificial intelligence are making imaging more powerful and accessible. This review highlights how neuroimaging is shaping the future of personalized medicine and paving the way for better treatments for brain disorders.