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. 

Imaging Endpoints teams up with AG Mednet on clinical trials

Boston-based AG Mednet announced yesterday that the software company would be partnering with board-certified radiologists from Imaging Endpoints to improve the latter's clinical trial submission quality and compliance.

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CMS reiterates ruling on radiopharmaceutical prep and ASC imaging

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is projected to publish a final rule on “burdensome” regulations regarding imaging in ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) and radiopharmaceutical preparation in hospitals on May 12.

Navidea: Revenue from Lymphoseek leaps 83% in first quarter

Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, developers of Lymphoseek and novel NAV4694 announced its first quarter 2014 financial report Wednesday including word of $752,000 revenue over absolutely zero revenue for that period last year.

Actinium strikes deal with IBA for manufacture of leukemia drug therapy

IBA Molecular announced today that the company will spearhead development and manufacture of Actinium Pharmaceuticals’ radioimmunotherapy for acute and refractory myeloid leukemia patients who need bone marrow transplants.

Advanced Accelerator Applications keen on board consult from Kapil Dhingra

Kapil Dhingra, MBBS, previously the head of Roche Oncology, has been made a member of the board for radiopharmaceutical developers Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA), the company announced last week.

Genetic variant protects brain from age-related memory decline

A particular genetic allele is now deemed a protector of memory in the aging brain as demonstrated by combined genetic testing and functional MRI, according to a study published May 1 in Biological Psychology.

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Patterns of a-synuclein are altered in patients with multiple dementias

Dementia patients with combinations of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) show significantly different distribution of the protein alpha-synuclein than they would with one diagnosis, according to a presentation during last week’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN).

Stem cell treatment for Alzheimer’s gets Americord support

An investigational therapy called Neurostem-AD developed by Medipost to treat the neurodegeneration caused by Alzheimer’s disease is currently in clinical trials and is now receiving financial backing from Americord, a cord blood, tissue and placenta bank, Americord officials announced today.