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. 

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GE Healthcare doubling distribution of imaging tracer to meet expected demand for new Alzheimer’s drug

General Electric's $18 billion healthcare arm anticipates physicians will require more doses of its Vizamyl F18-PET agent, used to diagnose beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. 

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Imaging tracer spots deadly AAAs—potentially before life-threatening ruptures occur

Abdominal aortic aneurysms typically remain asymptomatic until they burst, making earlier detection and treatment high priorities for physicians.

‘Super-resolution’ PET utilizes unwanted movements to bolster brain imaging

Boston researchers combined molecular imaging with motion tracking and additional baseline scan data to produce high-quality exams.

For first time, imaging tracer visualizes ‘master switch’ protein responsible for cancer growth

Stanford University researchers unveiled their novel 18F-DASA-23 radiopharmaceutical during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s virtual meeting.

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Combining AI with cardiac imaging helps predict heart attacks, cardiovascular deaths

The findings were presented virtually during the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging's 2021 Annual Meeting.

Amyloid PET requirement is the latest controversy muddying historic Alzheimer’s drug approval

SNMMI President Alan Packard, PhD, told Health Imaging he was "extremely surprised" PET imaging wasn't listed as a requirement for Biogen's aducanumab.

FDA approves controversial drug developed to treat Alzheimer’s disease

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging came out in support of the administration's decision, saying the "potential benefits of the drug certainly outweigh the risks."

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Imaging advocates offer guidance after reported spate of SPECT/CT payment denials

The Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging said it’s received “many complaints” from the field pertaining to various commercial payers. 

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