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. 

RSS icon

The Role of Imaging Biomarkers

Imaging biomarkers have been developed for use in early cancer diagnosis, staging and restaging of disease and monitoring the effects of therapeutic interventions. In addition, biomarkers for evaluating coronary function and perfusion are well-established. Imaging biomarkers targeting neurodegenerative diseases also are widely used in the clinic.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Advanced Coronary Analysis of the Obese Patient

Obesity is a known risk factor for ischemic heart disease, and conducting advanced coronary analysis within this patient population is challenging. SPECT/CT has emerged as a molecular imaging workhorse for evaluating obese patients with coronary artery disease.

Nurturing Connections: From Preclinical Imaging to Diagnosis to Therapy

CLR1404 is entering clinical trials as an anti-cancer therapy agent. It appears well-suited to staging a variety of cancer types and metastatic disease. More specific than FDG, it avoids the complications caused by inflammation or scar tissue. Stay tuned.

Powering the Potential of CT Through Molecular Imaging

In the past decade, CT has established itself as a workhorse in providing anatomical landmarks for molecular imaging. Pairing of the technology with traditional nuclear medicine modalities such as SPECT and PET has propelled the growth of molecular imaging beyond the boundaries of academic research into the mainstream of clinical care.

Peering into the Future: Why We Need New Imaging Biomarkers

The National Cancer Institute and researchers around the globe are exploring and developing an array of new biomarkers that could edge molecular imaging toward routine clinical practice and help deliver on the promise of personalized medicine.

Pint-size Power: PET/CT and SPECT/CT in Pediatrics

PET/CTa technology whose potential is now being appreciated, but has yet to be fully realizedhas proven successful in the accurate staging and monitoring of oncology patient therapy for a variety of cancers. SPECT/CT, while relatively new, is beginning to make its mark in areas such as oncology, cardiology, neurology imaging. 

Diagnosing Heart Disease

Diagnosing heart disease in women—the No. 1 cause of death of womenacross the globe—is sometimes difficult, but molecular PET and SPECTimaging is beginning to contribute to resolving this problem.

The Ammonia Option: PET/CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

13N-ammonia, an established imaging probe for measuringmyocardial perfusion, has now been made available for use in thecommunity. This has thus far been difficult because of the shorthalf-life of 13N-ammonia of about 10 minutes. But even that time factor has been worked out.

Displaying 1385 - 1392 of 1413
Design by Adaptive Theme