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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Cerebral 18F-FDG PET may predict long-term recovery of patients in vegetative states

Cerebral 18F-FDG PET could be used to complement bedside exams and predict long-term recovery of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, according to a study published online April 15 by The Lancet.

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WMIS presents tools for IND approval

Easing FDA investigational new drug (IND) approvals for novel PET probes is the subject of a study recently published in Molecular Imaging and Biology and announced today by parent organization The World Molecular Imaging Society.

Siemens Announces First U.S. Installation of Symbia Intevo xSPECT System

The University of Minnesota Medical Center – Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis, recently became the first U.S. health care facility to install the Symbia Intevo xSPECT system from Siemens Healthcare.

Northwestern to Install U-SPECT/CT for Cross-Disciplinary Biomedical Studies

A U-SPECT+/CT (MILabs, The Netherlands) will be installed at Northwestern University (Chicago, IL) to deliver ultra-high resolution, high sensitivity, accurate quantification and fast scanning speed of dynamic radio-labeled molecule distributions, contributing to molecular and functional studies in CNS, cardiovascular, oncology, nephrology and reproductive biology.

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Protea and UK research group study molecular changes in Alzheimer's

Protea Biosciences, based in Morgantown, Va., is collaborating with the Carare Research Group at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, to develop a technology that will “mine” brain cells affected by Alzheimer's in order to visualize vast numbers of molecules simultaneously.

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Immunotherapy could clear out cervical cancer

T cell immunotherapy prompted a striking response from three out of nine women with advanced cervical cancer, including one who had extensive metastases, according to new data from the National Cancer Institute. This could offer an alternative treatment option for women with few choices remaining.

MPI finds more CAD five years after treatment

Stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) when conducted five years following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has the potential to pinpoint addition disease in more than half of patients, according to a study published ahead of print May 14 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

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National Parkinson's Foundation gifts nearly $1M to top studies

The National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) is providing almost $1 million in funding for four major studies in Parkinson's disease, the Foundation announced May 22.

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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.