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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Integrin PET imaging during therapy may not tell the whole story

Anti-angiogenesis drugs have been making waves as treatments for some cancers. Researchers have been developing new biomarkers to map the progress of these therapies, including those that target integrin expression. However, a new study published online yesterday in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine indicates that integrin expression imaging may not provide a mirror image of the impact of peptide therapy as it occurs.

Angsty women in mid-life may be at higher risk for Alzheimer’s

Yet another risk factor for neurodegenerative disease has cropped up in recent studies: Worry among older women. Research conducted at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden provided a score on the scale of neuroticism for 800 women in mid-life and evaluated any potential links to Alzheimer's. Those who peaked on the anxiety scale were two times as likely to develop the disease.

Novel amino-acid PET tracer may increase specificity for certain cancers

A first-in-human study of (D)-18F-fluoromethyltyrosine (D-18F-FMT), a tyrosine derivative, is being evaluated for diagnostic imaging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCC). Results show that it could provide some differentiation in a space dominated by FDG, according to a study published Sept. 25 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

A breakdown of genetic biomarkers

An analysis of genetic biomarkers from Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology explains the differences between predictive and prognostic characteristics and provides a perspective on the current landscape of research and development for a number of key assays.

Flurpiridaz PET MPI data reveal lower dose than conventional SPECT

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with PET and F-18 flurpiridaz may reduce radiation dose while still providing comparable image quality to SPECT, the current standard, according to a study presented at the recent American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) Annual Scientific Session held in Boston from Sept 18-21.

BRAIN Initiative doles out $46M in neurological research grants

Lasers that can flip cells off and on and brain scanners that can be worn are just two projects receiving federal grants as a part of the $100 million BRAIN Initiative aimed to learn more about the inner-workings of the brain.

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Gene therapy reverses symptoms of Alzheimer’s associated with progranulin deficiency

Lower amounts of a protein called progranulin in the brain have been shown to increase beta-amyloid formation and neuroinflammation. A gene therapy may be the key to reversing these markers of Alzheimer’s disease, Gladstone Institutes announced yesterday.

BioClinica Compass wins technology innovation award

BioClinica, Inc., a leading provider of outsourced clinical trial services and eClinical Solutions, today announced that its Compass technology, a risk-based monitoring solution that improves overall quality in clinical trials, has won the inaugural Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM) NextGen Technology Innovation (TIA) Award.

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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.