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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An anthology of recent Alzheimer's studies

Following World Alzheimer's Day, a list of recent Alzheimer's studies, including brain PET research, was recently published by Examiner.com.

Civitas acquired by Acorda Therapeutics for $525M

Acorda Therapeutics has made an agreement with Civitas Therapeutics to acquire the latter for $525 million. The purchase comes with global rights over a portfolio of drugs in development, including an inhalable drug called CVT-301, currently being validated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease symptoms, Acorda announced Sept. 24.

Lymphoseek recommended for approval in EU for certain cancers

Navidea Biopharmaceuticals announced Friday that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), a division of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), is recommending marketing authorization in the European Union for Lymphoseek (tilmanocept) preparation for the presurgical mapping of sentinel lymph nodes that provide a point of potential metastasis in primary head and beck oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and breast cancer.

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Extreme altruists have larger, more active amygdalas

Altruistic people, such as those who would be willing to donate an organ to a stranger, show a stronger response to fearful faces in the form of a spike of activity in the amygdala when scanned using fMRI, according to a feature in the Discover D-Brief Blog.

Prognostic PET/CT is superior to CT for follicular lymphoma

A retrospective study gauging the benefit of PET/CT after first-line therapy for follicular lymphoma in multi-center trials puts PET/CT on a pedestal above CT alone as a tool for gauging patients’ response to therapy and prospective survival, according to a study published Sept. 18 in The Lancet Haematology.

Analog molecule could throw off Parkinson’s diagnosis

Monitoring dopamine activity may not be as ideal as previously thought for patients suspected of having Parkinson’s disease. Researchers at Washington State University have found an “imposter molecule” that could be mistaken for dopamine in tests that look for low-levels of the neurostransmitter as a sign of the neurodegenerative disease, the university announced Wednesday.

GE garners FDA approval for new PET/CT

The FDA has provided 510(k) clearance of GE Healthcare's Discovery IQ PET/CT system, the company announced Monday.

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NIH provides $10M push for gender equality in biomedical research

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has set an initiative in motion that intents to banish a biomedical research bias toward the use of male animal models and cells in preclinical studies.

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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.