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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Protea’s gross revenues up 190% in third quarter

Protea Biosciences, a biomedical company based in Morgantown, W. Va, announced yesterday that third quarter financial results amounted to $517,569, the highest revenue on record for the company. However net losses are still steep at more than $4.6 million for the third quarter.

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Brain PET: Periodontal disease could be a culprit in amyloid burden

Even mild cases of dental disease could have long-term effects on amyloid plaque development and brain health, according to a neuroimaging study published online Nov. 5 in Neurobiology of Aging.

PSMA agents pinpoint prostate cancer throughout the body with SPECT, planar imaging

Two novel technetium-99m agents, when used with SPECT or planar imaging, have been found to effectively target prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in advanced prostate cancer within bone, lymph nodes and soft tissues, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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MIT develops nanoparticles to enable MRI, fluorescent imaging

Chemists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed nanoparticles that could eventually help track disease progression.

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FDG PET reigns for diagnosing infected prosthetic heart valves

Infections related to heart valve prosthesis are usually diagnosed with echocardiography, but it can miss key areas of infection. It is here that FDG PET or leukocute scintigraphy can step in, but a recent comparison study of the two nuclear medicine procedures published Nov. 13 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows that FDG PET may be the best option.

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NorthStar snags additional $5.2M from NNSA for isotope technology

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has agreed to provide supplemental funding for NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes’ medical isotope production venture.

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Canadian Light Source makes first shipment of medical isotopes from linear accelerator

The Saskatoon, Canada-based Canadian Light Source has reached a major benchmark in the company’s Medical Isotope Project by shipping the first major supply of isotopes, the company announced Friday. Health Canada has yet to approve it, but, with further testing, this technology could begin supplying medical isotopes to medical facilities in the region by 2016.

First-in-human trial of new serotonin receptor agent

F-18 mefway is a novel serotonin-1A receptor ligand that could one day be used to image neurodegenerative disease and psychiatric disorders, according to a story published Nov. 13 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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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.