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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MR in Hyper-drive: Introducing Hyperpolarized MRI & A New Era of Metabolic Imaging

Hyperpolarized MRI, also known as hyperpolarized MRSI (or HP-MRSI), is a new technique representing a major development in molecular MR currently making the rounds in the international molecular imaging circuit.

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Unlocking The Cells: Visualizing Mental Illness Via Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging of psychiatric disorders has taken a few turns around the lab as a concept, and while some potential imaging methods, namely dopamine transport scanning, have shown some potential, the technique has not really taken off for psychiatric applications due to a mixed bag of results and a limited understanding of the pathophysiology.

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Rising to the Occasion: Radionuclide Therapy

First-order treatment of cancer typically involves chemo and/or radiation therapy and surgical intervention, but radionuclide therapies offer some advantages for select patients by delivering a very intense dose sequestered to affected tumor sites.

Is Molecular Imaging Due for a Fallow Period?

During the past five years, I have spent a considerable amount of time on the issue of supply of Tc-99m and its parent, Mo-99.

First-in-human study of novel integrin receptor PET tracer

The first PET imaging study of its kind to show the viability of tumor angiogenesis imaging in humans with investigational Ga-68 NODAGA-Theranost has been conducted by researchers from the Theranostics Center for Molecular Radiotherapy and Molecular Imaging in Bad Berka, Germany, and other institutions including the National Cancer Institute and Advanced Imaging Projects based in Boca Raton, Fla. Molecular Imaging has obtained an exclusive sneak-peek at the study.

Video lecture: Nanoconstructs in theranostics

Watch a presentation on nanoconstructs in cancer theranostics from the Methodist Hospital Research Institute and Tel Aviv University (TAU) posted online from the recent Summer School on Nanomedicine and Innovation.

Mevion Medical Systems introduces Hyperscan for the Mevion S250 platform

Hyperscan is debuting at the 56th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), held September 14 – 16 in San Francisco.  Mevion representatives will formally introduce Hyperscan at booth 728 in the exhibit hall.

Agendia test for molecular subtyping of breast cancer is a better guide to pre-surgical treatment

In findings that could eventually change the way breast cancer is treated, a study reports that the BluePrint genomic test provides more accurate information about the molecular subtype of breast cancer than does conventional IHC-FISH pathology testing.

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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.