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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The rising tide of Alzheimer’s

As the baby boomers shift into retirement, it’s always been known that the prevalence of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease was going to increase. Numbers released last month from the Alzheimer’s Association provided the latest estimate of just how severe the impact will be.

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BRAIN initiative could lead to revolution in experimental neuroscience

The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative could lead to a revolution in experimental neuroscience and is expected to shed light on disease processes, according to a viewpoint article published online April 7 by JAMA Neurology. 

Is there a link between cognitive decline and decreased risk of cancer mortality?

Faster cognitive decline amongst elders without dementia has been associated with a decreased risk of cancer mortality, according to a study published on April 8 by Neurology. 

European Commission commits $1.8M grant for intraoperative cancer imaging

An international consortium has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the European Commission to assess Cerenkov luminescence imaging for intraoperative imaging of gastric cancer patients.

House bill champions international effort for dementia care

A bipartisan bill brought forward in the U.S. House of Representatives April 4 would coordinate an international initiative for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

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FDA sees through GE Q.Clear PET/CT image reconstruction

GE Healthcare announced yesterday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided 510(k) clearance for the company’s PET/CT iterative image reconstruction technology that works to improve image quality and quantitative data.

Struggles, strategies identified to better Alzheimer’s clinical trial participation

The continuation of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease is dependent upon identification of their challenges as well as strategies for improvement, according to a review published in the April issue of Health Affairs. 

Long-term North American moly-99 supply hooked up by Shine and GE

Shine Medical Technologies based in Monona, Wis., has solidified a deal with GE Healthcare to provide consistent production of molybdenum-99, which decays into technetium-99m—the medical isotope most used throughout the world in nuclear medicine procedures, the company announced last week.

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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.