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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Reassessing the standard: Radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer

Radioiodine therapy has been around for a long time now as an effective treatment for thyroid cancer. However there may be some scenarios in which an alternative or combined treatment may be better suited, according to a review published Aug. 11 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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Plato's Cave pushes advanced visualization out of the dark

Plato's Cave, short for computer augmented virtual environment, is a 5D imaging masterpiece engineered by researchers at the Methodist Hospital in Houston that combines PET, MR and CT imaging on multiple screens, including a touch-screen table top, and the ability to use voice commands and game controllers to manipulate and fly-through medical images for better treatment planning.

Demystifying DNA repair could drive better gene therapies

An integral piece of the process that goes into the repair of DNA has been discovered by scientists at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, the institution announced Monday. This information could improve gene therapies for hereditary disease.

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World neuro-disorder survey: three out of four people would want to know

Several thousands of people were polled to see what they thought about neurological disorders. Not only did three out of four participants across 10 countries say that they would rather know if they had a disorder regardless of a cure available, but 94 percent said governments or insurers should foot the bill, according to the survey conducted by Millward Brown and announced today by survey sponsor GE Healthcare.

Anti-tau treatment blocks a form of pediatric epilepsy

A reduction in tau protein levels in the brain effectively curtails the progression of Dravet syndrome, a serious form of epilepsy in children, the Gladstone Institutes announced Aug. 13.

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Choline PET/MR of prostate cancer is a mismatch, but a valuable one

Quantitative values of simultaneous F-18 choline PET and diffusion-weighted imaging do not correlate in the assessment of intermediate prostate cancer—perhaps because the measurements characterize different tumor biology, according to a study published last month in PLOS ONE.

Pentagon provides $20M boon for TBI biomarkers

Abbott Laboratories based in Abbott Park, Ill., is receiving more than $19.5 million for the development of diagnostic biomarkers and assays for traumatic brain injury (TBI), the U.S. Department of Defense announced Aug. 13.

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A potential biomarker for PTSD

It may seem like an unlikely connection, but an aversion to kitty litter has led to a very interesting discovery about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that could one day lead to a diagnostic test and perhaps even a drug therapy,

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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.