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.

Cleveland researchers launch Amyvid study

A team of radiologists and neurologists at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland are enrolling patients with suspected early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in a study designed to determine if Amyvid can identify amyloid plaques via PET or MRI. Read more about the research by clicking the link below.

Healthcare reform launches new era for nuclear medicine

While healthcare reform has been slowly evolving as a result of many acts of Congress during the past decade, it is the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), that is driving major changes in healthcare coverage, the economics of the medical industry and quality of care. The latter is being carried by a series of reporting and incentive programs that have a direct impact on the practice of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, according to a review published March 1 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI could tip off early-stage Alzheimer’s

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is an emerging indication of Alzheimer’s pathology and dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI may be an ideal modality to track CBF in high-risk patients with mild cognitive impairment, as well as those already diagnosed with the disease, according to a study published in the June issue of Academic Radiology.

High-res detectors improve SPECT/CT evaluation of skeletal disease

SPECT/CT using high-resolution CT detector technology has been found to increase the diagnostic capabilities of SPECT when used to detect diseased bone, including osteomyelitis and other peripheral skeletal disease, and at a lower cost than high-resolution multi-detector CT, according to a study published May 23 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

PET/CT powers MPI improvements

There are several advantages to PET/CT for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) including upgrades in quantitative analysis and biomarker technology that could provide a more complete evaluation of cardiovascular disease, according to a review published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology.

Other side of the coin: CT has advantages over SPECT for detection of stable CAD

In a companion piece that counters an opinion that SPECT is the best modality for first-line detection of CAD, separate experts argued that CT finds sub-clinical atherosclerosis and important coronary anatomy, providing earlier diagnoses and the option to be more aggressive with treatment, according to a review published April 10 in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology.

Correction: Amyvid makers call for CMS coverage of amyloid imaging

The article "Amyvid makers call for CMS coverage of amyloid imaging," has been revised.

SPECT beats CT for detection of stable CAD

Some clinicians maintain that cardiac-computed tomography angiography (CCTA) bests SPECT/CT for the detection of CAD, but two expert nuclear cardiologists suggest the opposite and presented data to demonstrate their case, in a study published April 10 in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology.

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