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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University of Buffalo awarded $2 million grant to study concussions

Researchers working at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo received a five-year, $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact concussions have on an individual’s body and brain.  

New fluorine probe called a ‘major leap’ for MRI sensitivity

Radiology and biochemistry researchers at UC-San Diego say they have figured out how to dissolve and encapsulate metals inside fluorine-based droplets, in the process synthesizing a new cell-labeling probe that can, in in effect, “greatly amp up the MRI signal” for potential use in in immunotherapy, inflammation treatment and other emerging clinical applications. 

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Your full DNA is in your smartphone, or can be

Want to know which specific hereditary ailments you, and you alone, are susceptible to? All of them? 

Study: New peptide probes could help detect disease faster

A new advancement in real-time visualization of body tissues using molecular imaging probes could significantly increase early detection and treatment capabilities of cancer and other diseases, according to results of a study published online in Nature Communications.

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New FDA draft guidance covers IDE applications for neurological medical devices

The FDA has issued a new draft guidance intended to assist FDA staff and those in the healthcare industry with submitting investigational device exemption (IDE) applications to conduct clinical trials for neurological medical devices. 

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Twitter for clinical-trial recruitment: All but untapped, barely even explored

Of more than 1,500 tweets randomly pulled from a qualified starting cohort of more than 15,000 mentioning the term “lung cancer” over two and a half weeks in January 2015, just one lonely tweet linked to a patient recruitment website for a clinical trial.

Predicting liver tumor recurrence with immediate post-ablation FDG PET/CT

Performing PET/CT examinations using the radiotracer 18-Fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) immediately following localized liver tumor ablation is more effective than contrast-enhanced CT for predicting tumor recurrence, according to results of a study published online in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Consultant to concerned residents: N.J. radiopharmaceutical facility not a threat

Patrick McDermott, a Rutgers University scientist who specializes in ionized radiation, has said a radiopharmaceutical factory scheduled to open soon in Millburn, N.J., poses no health risks to the area. McDermott was hired back in October 2015 to assess the safety of the factory and reported his findings this week.

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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.