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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Clinical trials expand for tau-based Alzheimer’s treatment

TauRx Therapeutics, the Singapore-based biopharmaceutical company behind a novel tau-modifying Alzheimer’s therapy, is adding 35 new U.S. research sites to its phase III clinical trials network currently researching the drug LMTX as a potential therapy to slow and prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s in patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Protecting the thyroid: I-123 MIBG blockade passes the test

Whether to block or leave unblocked was the question when evaluating I-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) for thyroid uptake. Patients who received thyroid blockade to inhibit absorption of unbound radioiodine during cardiac imaging showed less overall thyroid activity in planar imaging, according to a study published Jan. 2 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Radiogenomics: A closer look

The radiologic and pathologic methods of the past century are being replaced by recent knowledge about disease pathology and genetic specialty, moving away from the appearance of disease toward the expression of genes that play an important role in risk stratification, diagnostics, monitoring disease progression and projecting survival.

Alzheimer’s birthplace in the brain announced

The lateral entorhinal cortex has been named the area in the brain where neurodegenerative disease originates, providing new information about how neuronal dysfunction leads to Alzheimer’s progression, according to a study published Dec. 22 in Nature Neuroscience.

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HIV takes a hit with radioimmunotherapy

Targeted radionuclide therapy could change the whole paradigm used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), according to one of the most remarkable studies to emerge from the recent Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting last month in Chicago.

G8 Dementia Summit aims to double Alzheimer’s funding by 2025

The health ministers of the G8 countries made an official declaration at the Dementia Summit held at the Lancaster House in London Dec. 11 to develop a viable treatment for Alzheimer’s disease within the next 12 years.

NHS promises to cover imaging to rule out Alzheimer’s

The G8 Dementia Summit held in London Dec. 11 aimed not only at increasing funding research for Alzheimer’s disease, but also approving diagnostic dementia imaging by the U.K.'s National Health Service (NHS).

F-18 Florbetaben gets initial nod toward CE mark

Piramal Imaging, producers of the amyloid imaging PET agent F-18 florbetaben, otherwise known as NeuroCeq, announced Dec. 20 that the drug had been recommended by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), one step away from European Commission approval. 

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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.