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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Radiopharmaceutical manufacturer Curium files approvals for PET imaging agent

The St. Louis-based firm submitted a stand-alone Drug Master File with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with an Active Substance Master File with the European Medicines Agency, for its germanium-68 agent.

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Repeated negative thinking associated with amyloid and tau deposition, increased dementia risk

Engaging in such thought patterns over a long period of time could raise an individual's chance of developing the brain disease, according to a new study.

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FDA approves first PET agent for tau imaging

Tauvid was developed by Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Eli Lilly, and offers clinicians a new type of brain scan to use in patients being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease.

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FDA greenlights PET imaging agent for breast cancer

The radiopharmaceutical—Cerianna—is the first F-18 agent approved for use in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.

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NIH hands out $3.5M grant for PET-based research into depression

Stony Brook University investigators seek to quantify the precise degree of brain inflammation in those with the illness and ultimately hope to suggest novel treatments.

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Researchers ID potentially treatable genetic mutation target for therapy-resistant prostate cancer

German scientists found six of seven patients with difficult-to-treat cancer had genetic mutations in their DNA damage-repair genes, according to new research.

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Global medical isotope company secures $19M to ‘revolutionize’ nuclear medicine industry

Vancouver, British Columbia-based Artms will use the funding to help bolster the supply of locally produced radioisotopes, such as technetium-99m.

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Hospitals should be required to report adverse radioisotope injections, expert argues

Inflitration occurs when a a radiotracer is not safely injected into an individual's vein, but the true impact of these adverse events remains unknown to patients and physicians.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

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.

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.

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