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
Thumbnail

Patient-specific dose measurement improves therapy for neuroendocrine tumors

A team of Swedish researchers found that a hybrid planar and SPECT imaging method fell short in accurately measuring the absorbed treatment dose in some patients, but importantly, performed well in those with bone marrow metastases.

Thumbnail

‘One of the rarest medical isotopes in the world’: Canadian orgs partner to advance cancer research

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and TRIUMF, the country’s particle accelerator center, have successfully produced actinium-225—a rare isotope that can be used for novel cancer therapy treatments.

Thumbnail

Protective methods to measure radioiodine exposure may be inadequate

Exposure to radioiodine can lead to DNA damage in thyroid cells and other tissue, but new research suggests current radiation protection principles may not be sufficiently monitoring radiation exposure to nuclear medicine professionals.

Thumbnail

PET tracer detects various forms of cancer, lung disease

Results from a study published Oct. 14 in Nature Communications showed the tracer could identify pancreatic, cervical and lung cancer, in addition to a lung tissue disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Thumbnail

NIH awards $20M grant to develop PET radiotracers for diagnosing Parkinson’s

“At the end of five years, we hope to have a radioactive tracer that will be able to detect Parkinson’s early on and provide detailed information about the disease’s progression, which is critical for discovering and testing new treatments," said Robert H. Mach, PhD, a researcher involved in the project.

SHINE closes $50M in financing to support isotope production

The funds, managed by Oaktree Capital Management, will support SHINE’s commercialization of molybdenum-99 and lutetium-177 (Lu-177) in addition to construction of the physical production facility.

Thumbnail

Quantitative differences in PET/CT protocols ‘concerning,’ researchers find

Standardizing protocols for preclinical PET/CT imaging can help translate research findings to the clinical setting, according to a study published Sept. 27 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Thumbnail

PET/CT more accurate for selecting patients for radionuclide therapy

Metrics based on PET/CT imaging can identify neuroendocrine tumor patients who may benefit from peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) better than traditional imaging-based scoring measures, according to a study published in the September issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Displaying 257 - 264 of 3687

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.