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.

Researchers receive grant worth millions to develop portable PET scanner
Experts are hopeful that the portable scanner could improve access to neuroimaging used in the diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease.
Why is the US still dependent on foreign medical isotope production?
The U.S currently does not have any large-scale commercial production of the isotope Mo-99 used for nuclear imaging. It is critical to more 40,000 nuclear imaging exams each day, representing about 80% of all diagnostic molecular imaging procedures.
Downed high-flux reactor could restart sooner than anticipated
The announcement will come as welcome news, as nuclear medicine departments in numerous regions have been grappling with shortages of Mo-99 and Tc-99m.
Some nuc med departments are already feeling the strain of the isotope shortage
"This can't drag on. Patients needing cancer treatment can’t wait two months for an accurate diagnosis.”
NorthStar opens facility to assist with development and distribution of vital radioisotopes
The facility will provide much needed developmental and manufacturing support for pharmaceutical companies that produce and distribute medical isotopes.

UltraSPECT Installs 450th System in USA At Firelands Regional Medical Center

UltraSPECT partners with HeartLight Pharmacy Services to help nuclear medicine facilities deliver reduced radiation dose, shortened scan time for patient, staff safety.

January 26, 2016

The University of California – San Francisco to Install MILabs VECTor4CT in Support of Expanding Molecular and Functional Imaging Research

The Center for Molecular and Functional Imaging (CMFI) at the University of California – San Francisco will install the MILabs VECTor4CT in support of a large number of NIH funded research projects in the areas of oncology, neuroscience and drug discovery/development.  The UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging invested significant resources in establishing the CMFI in 2003.  Major research efforts at CMFI include translational nuclear medicine imaging research using both SPECT/CT and PET/CT.  Utilization of the VECTor4CT will benefit from the CMFI installed medical cyclotron, state of the art radiopharmaceutical laboratory and in-house vivarium all under one roof.

January 25, 2016

Annual International Summit “Ageing” to be Held from February 9 to 11, 2016

Ageing 2016 will be held from February 9 to 11, 2016 at Cineworld: The O2 Peninsula Square London SE10 0DX United Kingdom. The annual international summit will look at the various aspects of processes and research involved in ageing and senescence.

January 22, 2016

Study indicates mentally demanding tasks can protect brain power

Mentally demanding activities may be neuroprotective and an important element for maintaining a healthy brain into late adulthood, according to findings published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.

January 20, 2016

Cancer surveillance PET rises, suggesting overutilization

A robust, population-based study has revealed that, from 2001 through 2009, the use of PET imaging swelled among patients with resected non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC).

January 18, 2016

Study: Gadolinium has little impact on accuracy of MRI for pediatric tumors

Gadolinium chelate administration is largely unnecessary for imaging pediatric tumors when performing MRI or combined PET/MR scans, according to a recent study published by the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

January 13, 2016

A ‘nuclear scalpel’ may emerge from discovery of four new elements

Scientists from Japan, Russia and the U.S. have discovered four new chemical elements that, taken together, complete the seventh period of the periodic table of elements. And the first area of human endeavor to find a practical use for the expanded knowledge may be nuclear medicine.

January 11, 2016

Adding whole-body PET/MRI improves evaluation of colorectal cancer

Compared with conventional multi-detector, contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) alone, CECT with integrated whole-body PET/MRI is better at detecting metastatic lesions and characterizing indeterminate lesions in the colon.

January 6, 2016

Molecular Imaging

Researchers receive grant worth millions to develop portable PET scanner

Why is the US still dependent on foreign medical isotope production?

Downed high-flux reactor could restart sooner than anticipated

Some nuc med departments are already feeling the strain of the isotope shortage

NorthStar opens facility to assist with development and distribution of vital radioisotopes