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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Hypoxia imaging: four biomarkers go head to head

Four up-and-coming radiotracers to target areas of under-oxygenation, which indicates dying tissues and possible tumor proliferation, were compared and found to have similar biodistribution and uptake, according to a study published Feb. 3 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Early genetic detection of MS moves forward

DioGenix announced Jan. 27 that preliminary research validates the company’s genetic sequencing assay, MSPrecise. The screening tool would identify people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the very earliest stages of disease when symptoms are still subtle. 

Novel neuroendocrine tumor scan gets European orphan drug designation

OctreoPharm Sciences based in Berlin announced Jan. 29 that OPS202, an imaging agent for the detection of gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, received orphan drug designation from the European Medicines Agency.

PET/MR pins down nerve pain at the molecular level

Pain is unavoidable. It alerts sufferers to very real threats via injury and disease and is invaluable for that reason, but it is also vague and imprecise and sometimes just mysterious, especially in cases of chronic pain disorders. Stanford scientists sought to develop a biomarker that could visualize the molecular changes that signal pain generation and potentially use it to gauge wound healing and to assist in drug trials. 

Preoperative PET may lower unnecessary lung cancer surgeries

Presurgical scanning for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer appears to lower incidence of unnecessary surgeries, according to an analysis published Jan. 21 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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High estrogen and diabetes a recipe for dementia in women

The combination of higher estrogen levels and a diabetes diagnosis is associated with 14 times the risk of developing dementia for older women, according to a study published Jan. 29 in Neurology.

Eli Lilly announces 2% revenue decline in fourth quarter

The makers of F-18 florbetapir, also known as Amyvid, declared an 2 percent drop in global revenues in the final quarter of 2013 to just over $5.8 billion, though revenues for the full year reflected a 2 percent increase to slightly more than $23.1 billion.

Blood pesticide levels linked to Alzheimer’s

Higher serum levels of pesticides could be contributing to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in JAMA Neurology.

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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.