Perhaps more commonly associated with cancer imaging, molecular imaging is at a turning point.

While the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer with molecular imaging techniques still will be a major topic of conversation at this year’s annual meeting of the RSNA in Chicago, these techniques are increasingly being researched for use in examining multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

The Molecular Imaging Symposium (Monday, Dec. 2, 3:30 p.m. CST, Room S406B) will focus on efforts to bring these molecular brain imaging applications from the research realm to the clinic. Topics will include an update on amyloid imaging and a review of quantitative analysis and interpretation of molecular brain imaging.

A number of poster presentations also will focus on the cutting edge in molecular imaging research. In 2006, the RSNA created a travel award for molecular imaging designed to support the travel of young investigators who have been invited to present especially high-quality research. This year, recipients of the award include a team from Massachusetts General Hospital presenting research on 11C-Acetate PET for monitoring prostate cancer (Monday, Dec. 2, 12:15 p.m. CST, Room S503AB).

Outside of scientific sessions and poster presentations, attendees will be able to catch a glimpse of the clinical uses of molecular imaging with the Molecular Imaging Case of the Day initiative. This also will be the second year of the Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine campus, an exhibit area returning after a successful debut in 2012.

What molecular imaging topics at this year’s conference have caught your eye?

See you in Chicago!

-Evan Godt
Editor – Health Imaging

egodt@trimedmedia.com