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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African genomics studies get support from NIH

More than $300,000 will go toward genomic research by African investigators carried out in Africa, according to an announcement Aug. 3 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Genomics: The future of medicine

A round up of genomics research is presented in this Telegraph anthology of recent articles from international news sources. Millions of dollars are being funneled into a project to "unlock"  DNA, personal genomics could become second nature, and challenges that have held up the science of genomics and its applications are presented.

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FDG PET finds signs of muscle denervation

A high uptake of FDG could signal glucose hypermetabolism in muscle, making FDG PET a novel addition to more conventional methods of detecting denervation, according to a study published Aug. 7 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Varian acquires Transpire dose software

Varian Medical Systems announced Aug. 5 that the company acquired dose calculation software produced by Transpire to merge with treatment planning technology.

FDA to oversee genetic and other lab tests

The FDA has announced that more than 11,000 lab-driven diagnostic tests that have never been regulated will now fall under the agency's oversight. This includes cancer screening and genetic testing, an area of research that has exploded in the past couple of decades.

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Opening the gates of an elegant brain receptor

The glutamate receptor is an important player in nerve signaling and exceptionally high-resolution images of protein interactions are revealing how these receptors operate, which could have an impact on future targets for a wide variety of neurodegenerative diseases, announced the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday.

Fatty meal prior to FDG PET/CT could improve coronary plaque imaging

A new protocol nuclear cardiologists could use to improve identification of coronary plaques involves decreasing F-18 FDG myocardial uptake to reveal more coronary detail in cardiac PET/CT. A high-fat meal prior to fasting seems to do the trick, according to a study published July 31 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Anti-alpha-synuclein Parkinson therapy develops in clinical trials

A disease-modifying therapy to treat Parkinson’s disease has moved through a phase I clinical trial and is set to enter a phase II study, co-sponsor the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) announced Thursday.

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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.