Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging (also called nuclear medicine or nuclear imaging) can image the function of cells inside the body at the molecular level. This includes the imaging modalities of positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. How does PET and SPECT imaging work? Small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) injected into a patient. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

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SNMMI 2014: Interview with Barry A. Siegel, MD, winner of Cassen Prize

As the 2014 Annual Meeting for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) came to a close this year, Molecular Imaging sat down with Barry A. Siegel, MD, professor of radiology and medicine and chief of the nuclear medicine division at Washington University School of Medicine here in St. Louis. Siegel was honored this year with the most prestigious award presented during the meeting: the Benedict Cassen Prize.

MAA price spike: Jubilant DraxImage address dodges antitrust concern

General discontent followed a one-time, exponential price hike from Jubilant DraxImage starting April 1 for the company’s exclusive MAA kit for the preparation of technetium-99m albumin, a lung perfusion agent. An industry forum on challenges in the radiopharmaceutical realm presented during the recent Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2014 Annual Meeting in St. Louis featured a panel of speakers, including vice president of sales, marketing and business development for JDI, Kevin Brooks, who made a case for the company.

Research on Piramal Imaging's Neuraceq (florbetaben F18 injection) takes center stage at SNMMI

Piramal Imaging released details from research presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), currently underway at St. Louis Convention Center in St. Louis, Mo.

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Amyloid versus tau?

It is widely publicized that amyloid in the brain may not be the best agent for gauging progression and severity of Alzheimer’s disease. Tau imaging seems to hold greater promise in that arena. What does this mean for amyloid imaging?

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Novel HER3 biomarker for advanced breast cancer could lead to new therapies

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) biomarkers have been the standard for imaging agents that target hormonally active breast cancers that tend to be very aggressive. Now researchers have developed an alternative and potentially more comprehensive biomarker of disease, HER3, according to a study presented during this week’s Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2014 Annual Meeting, which was held June 7-11 in St. Louis.

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The buzz at SNMMI 2014

This past week, about 4,000 attendees gathered in St. Louis for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2014 Annual Meeting. This year marked the 60th anniversary of the meeting, and as always there was plenty of ground breaking research unveiled.

PSMA-PET/CT: New radiotracer pictures more prostate tumors

An emerging radiotracer homes in on prostate-specific anatomy and finds elusive lesions, according to a study presenting this year at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2014 Annual Meeting.

Depressed elderly may progress more rapidly to Alzheimer’s

The combination of late-life depression and beta-amyloid deposition may lead to a quickening of neurodegeneration and progressive Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study presented during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s 2014 Annual Meeting, which concludes today.

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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Positron partners with Upbeat Cardiology Solutions to improve cardiac PET/CT access

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

Cardiovascular Business
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.