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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Advocacy trifecta funds neurodegenerative disease research

Three major patient advocacy associations, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the W. Garfield Weston Foundation, have joined forces to encourage researchers to explore the biological bridges between Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Worldwide medical imaging reagents market on the rise

The global market for medical reagents, including those used for molecular imaging purposes, is expected to grow substantially through 2016, according to a market report announced Feb. 5 from research firm TechNavio.

Preliminary results look positive for cardiac fatty acid PET imaging

FluoroPharma Medical, based in Montclair, N.J., announced yesterday that new results from an ongoing phase II clinical trial for F-18 FCPHA cardiac PET for the diagnosis of acute coronary artery disease (CAD) were positive and providing validation for further research.

Translational imaging facility could ease radiopharmaceutical development

A partnership between MPI Research, 3D Imaging and inviCRO has led to a new translational imaging center complete with on-site cyclotron that recently broke ground in Mattawan, Mich. The institution is scheduled to open this spring, according to the Feb. 5 announcement from MPI.

SPECT/CT: Scouting out vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis

Angiography cannot differentiate between vulnerable and stable plaques, which inform clinicians about a patient’s risk of rupture. Immuno-imaging with SPECT/CT could be a route for marking increased immune response at the site of high-risk vulnerable plaques, but there remain some complications, according to a study published Jan. 21 in Molecular Imaging.

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Alzheimer’s research round-up

This week, the National Institutes of Health announced a major partnership with pharmaceutical companies and nonprofit organizations to search for and validate biomarkers for drug development, including a major focus on Alzheimer's disease.

Navidea to present at BIO CEO conference

Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, producers of the amyloid PET agent NAV4694, announced Feb. 2 that CEO Mark Pikett, PhD, would hold a presentation at the 16th annual BIO CEO and Investor Conference taking place at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, Feb. 10-11.

PET/MR v. PET/CT: Former may be more effective for head and neck cancer

A comparison of PET/MR and PET/CT using a trimodality system showed that PET/MR is a worthy alternative, if not superior, to PET/CT when imaging for head and neck tumors, according to a study published Feb. 3 in in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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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.