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. 

Brain

New tau PET tracer a powerful diagnostic tool for rare, fatal brain disease

18F-PI-2620 revealed the "first evidence" that the radiopharmaceutical could help reliably detect progressive supranuclear palsy, experts said in JAMA Neurology.

July 7, 2020
COVID-19

‘Time has come’ to utilize low-dose radiation in fight against COVID-19

The treatment would shorten the course of the disease and cut the number of intensive care patients by one-third, researchers wrote in a letter to the editor published recently.

July 7, 2020

Radiotracer is ‘excellent’ for imaging tumors in patients with liver cancer

A new class of radiopharmaceuticals known as "antagonists" offered clinicians enhanced diagnostic options and proved superior to legacy agents for imaging neuroendocrine tumors.

June 29, 2020
Education

Medical students need more exposure to molecular imaging, nuclear medicine experts say

Demand for molecular imaging is likely to grow in the coming years, but most trainees receive little exposure to the burgeoning opportunity during medical school.

June 29, 2020

Newly discovered gene sparks early amyloid changes responsible for Alzheimer’s

The findings, published June 22 in JAMA Neurology, should help identify people at the greatest risk of developing the disease.

June 23, 2020

Nuclear medicine companies strike deal to produce, distribute novel PET imaging agent

Bracco subsidiary Blue Earth Diagnostics and PETNET Solutions, part of Siemens Healthineers, announced the multi-year agreement last week.

June 17, 2020
Laboratory

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes announces partnership to develop COVID-19 therapeutic agent

The Beloit, Wisconsin-based firm, known for producing molybdenum-99, is working with Chicago's Monopar Therapeutics on the treatment to battle severe cases of the disease.

June 16, 2020
SHINE Greg Piefer

Nuclear medicine firm SHINE vows ‘enduring commitment to normalize equality for all people’

“Black lives matter. The need to speak out against racism, racial injustice and inherent bias compels each of us as leaders in our community to act,” Founder and CEO Greg Piefer said in a recent message to employees.

June 15, 2020

Around the web

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

"I see, at least for the next decade, this being a SPECT and PET world, not one or the other," explained Tim Bateman, MD.

The FDA-approved technology developed by HeartFlow can predict a patient's long-term risk of target vessel failure as well as more invasive treatments performed inside a cath lab. 

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