As I reviewed our Health Imagings top features of 2011, Charles Dickens great opener It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, sprang to mind.

Researchers from Finland have developed a new tool for the objective diagnosis of Alzheimers disease which could allow for earlier diagnosis.

Many practices are lagging behind in implementing software upgrades or testing health plans in advance of the transition to the new HIPAA Version 5010 electronic transaction standards prompting the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) to call on the Department of Health and Human Services to immediately issue an expanded contingency plan.

Researchers may have uncovered a way to double the efficacy and reduce the side effects of radiation therapy, according to a study published in the December issue of International Journal of Radiation Oncology. The study detailed a method to reduce lung cancer cells' ability to repair the lethal double-strand DNA breaks caused by radiation therapy.

Positron has received a nuclear pharmacy license from the Indiana Board of Pharmacy for its Crown Point, Ind., manufacturing facility.

Although the final regulations regarding the shared savings program (SSP) between Medicare and accountable care organizations (ACOs) addresses shortcomings in earlier proposed regulations that may have made ACO entry too difficult for providers, participation in ACOs and the SSP still may not appeal to providers.

While preclinical molecular imaging has been a consistent field of research over the past few years, the number of positive studies and continued funding has grown tremendously this past yearwith greater expectations for 2012.

Completion of an FDA safety review concluded that Sanofi-Aventis dronedarone (Multaq) increases the risk of cardiovascular events, including death, in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Chatter about the drugs potential to increase CVD risk began last June when Sanofi pulled its Phase IIIb PALLAS trial after during an increase of CV events in the dronedarone arm.