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.

FDA approves expanded use of PET imaging agent
The product's updated indications include quantification and long-term monitoring of amyloid plaques on imaging.
'Powerful' new PET agent improves the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer
The agent “exhibits powerful tumor delineation” in challenging cases of determining cancer subtypes, and could potentially lead to more personalized, effective treatment strategies.
Industry partnership set to advance research on theranostics
The deal will create a Therapy Command Center to support the study and use of theranostics across Massachusetts General Hospital and its affiliated centers in bordering states.
SNMMI unveils its 2025 Image of the Year
The designation was awarded to a research team from China, who analyzed the efficacy of a novel radiotracer developed to target expression of the PD-L1 protein in suspected head and neck cancers.
3 industry partnerships, 1 clinical aim: Enriching the global supply chain of medical isotopes
Nuclear medicine operations may soon enjoy steadier flows of certain in-demand radioisotopes. If so, much credit will go to companies that had the strategic sense to collaborate with each other.

Lumiphore scores SBIR grant for novel radiopharmaceuticals

Biopharmaceutical company Lumiphore, from Berkeley, Calif., has captured a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Science Foundation to develop novel macrocyclic chelating groups in an effort to create targeted radioisotope drug delivery systems, the company announced in April.

AAN: Investigators gifted $260,000 for neurotoxin research

Two researchers received awards of $130,000 each for their work in developing treatments for Alzheimer’s and the movement disorder dystonia based on their research into neurotoxins, according to an announcement from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) during the organization’s 66th annual meeting in Philadelphia.

Bristol Myers Squibb nabs iPierian in $175M buyout

Biopharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb now holds the power on a pipeline of neurodegenerative disease therapies after buying San Francisco-based iPierian for $175 million.

Antibody drug therapy disrupts amyloid toxicity in the brain

Amyloid plaque is a known neurotoxin and hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology. There are currently no drugs approved to treat the chronic neurodegenerative disease. Fighting the disease with antibodies is showing encouraging results by negating the neurotoxic damage left in the wake of beta-amyloid aggregation, according to a study published April 30 in the Journal of Neuroscience.

AAN: Florbetaben PET rules out amyloid pathology

A negative florbetaben PET scan provides solid evidence to rule out amyloid pathology in the brain based on phase III trial data matched by histopathology. The research was presented Wednesday during the Emerging Sciences session of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting in Philadelphia.

AAN: Super Bowl hero receives award for advocating awareness of TBI

Today the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) will be presenting a leadership in neurology award to Ben Utecht, a National Football League champion who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that tackled his career in 2009.

Genetic testing developed to end era of brain disorder in Turkey

Advanced gene sequencing has found a single genetic mutation essential for a brain disorder that has been plaguing Turkish families for centuries.

Incretin receptor imaging: A new option for NETs

In the first trial of its kind, a new type of peptide receptor is being targeted in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) imaging, which could reveal previously hidden cancer, according to a study published April 17 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Molecular Imaging

FDA approves expanded use of PET imaging agent

'Powerful' new PET agent improves the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer

Industry partnership set to advance research on theranostics

SNMMI unveils its 2025 Image of the Year

3 industry partnerships, 1 clinical aim: Enriching the global supply chain of medical isotopes