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. 

RSS icon

FDA changes course, limiting suggested uses for groundbreaking Alzheimer’s drug

The agency now recommends Aduhelm only for patients in the early stages of the disease, more closely aligning with the population tested during clinical trials.

Doctors warn against off-label use of aducanumab amid adverse amyloid imaging findings

Leading experts say there is no clinical evidence the controversial drug can help patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition similar to Alzheimer's disease.

Shine completes $150M financing round to advance medical isotope production capabilities

Koch Disruptive Technologies led this series C-5 effort, with others including Fidelity Management & Research Company and Baillie Gifford also chipping in.

Medical isotope specialist NorthStar announces new executive hire

Frank Scholz, PhD, will oversee the Beloit, Wisconsin, firm's Mo-99 expansion efforts and new radioisotope development programs, among other duties.

GE Healthcare doubling distribution of imaging tracer to meet expected demand for new Alzheimer’s drug

General Electric's $18 billion healthcare arm anticipates physicians will require more doses of its Vizamyl F18-PET agent, used to diagnose beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. 

Thumbnail

Imaging tracer spots deadly AAAs—potentially before life-threatening ruptures occur

Abdominal aortic aneurysms typically remain asymptomatic until they burst, making earlier detection and treatment high priorities for physicians.

‘Super-resolution’ PET utilizes unwanted movements to bolster brain imaging

Boston researchers combined molecular imaging with motion tracking and additional baseline scan data to produce high-quality exams.

For first time, imaging tracer visualizes ‘master switch’ protein responsible for cancer growth

Stanford University researchers unveiled their novel 18F-DASA-23 radiopharmaceutical during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s virtual meeting.

Displaying 137 - 144 of 3687

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Positron partners with Upbeat Cardiology Solutions to make access to cardiac PET easier

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.

Design by Adaptive Theme
Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup