What is the characteristic of White Matter FDG Uptake?

White matter in the brain exhibits minimally FDG avid characteristics. This is due to the different metabolic activities present in white matter compared to gray matter. Gray matter, which contains a higher density of neuronal cell bodies, demonstrates higher levels of glucose metabolism and thus shows significant FDG uptake. In contrast, white matter primarily consists of myelinated axons that do not require as high levels of glucose for energy; as a result, the FDG uptake is much lower.

This characteristic is important for interpreting PET scans, particularly when differentiating between pathological and normal physiological processes. A strong understanding of these uptake patterns enables radiologists and clinicians to make more informed decisions based on the imaging data.