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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Brain PET: Seasonal Affective Disorder is caused by higher serotonin transport

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) appears to be brought on in the darker months of the year due to a drop in serotonin, which is mediated by the serotonin transporter protein (SERT), according to a longitudinal PET study presented Monday in Berlin during the Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

The nose knows: Tracking neuroprogenitor cells in the olfactory system

Neuroprogenitor cells, or brain stem cells, have the important task of looking after neuronal connections in the brain. Apparently, it all happens in the area that processes smell—the olfactory system, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced Oct. 10.

Interventional optical imaging detects tiny liver lesions

Challenging imaging artifacts in image guidance for interventional liver procedures such as those caused by biopsy needle could be ameliorated with an optical imaging technique called epifluorescence imaging, according to a study published Oct. 10 ahead of print in Radiology.

FDA: Ra-223 suspended until further notice

Due to manufacturing delays and shortage in supply, Ra-223, aka Xofigo, is currently not available, the FDA announced Oct. 7. Neither the FDA nor the drug’s maker, Bayer Healthcare, have released an estimated date for when supply of Ra-223 will be restored.

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Tetra forms scientific advisory board, additional funding

The pharmaceutical company Tetra Discovery Partners out of Grand Rapids, Mich., announced yesterday that investments have been locked in from Grand Angels and Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation and that official advisors have been chosen for the company’s board.

Cardiac and chest PET: ECG-bioimpedance measurements make up for respiratory motion

A new method of image reconstruction that synchronizes a preset phase of respiration using electrocardiography (ECG) and bioimpedance raises the image quality of PET usually degraded by breathing artifacts, the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) announced Oct. 10.

Modeling Alzheimer’s: The neuronal code is finally cracked

A comprehensive 3D model of human neuronal pathophysiology leading to Alzheimer’s disease is now complete. The final model provides confirmation of how amyloid plaque build-up and tau neurofibrillary tangles are not just related to onset of disease, but that amyloid hastens tau pathology, according to a letter published online Oct. 12 in Nature.

Lymphoseek FDA approved for lymphatic malignancy in all solid tumors

Navidea Biopharmaceutical’s supplemental new drug application for sentinel lymph-node mapping agent Lymphoseek (technetium Tc 99m tilmanocept) has now been approved for detection of lymph node involvement in all solid tumors, the company announced today.

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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.