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 clears new formulation of Lantheus' PSMA imaging agent
Lantheus expects the reformulated agent to be commercially available by the fourth quarter of 2026.
PET scans offer insight into how ketamine affects depression
Thanks to a newly developed radiotracer and PET imaging, experts believe they may have unearthed new insights on the drug's impact.
Lantheus receives tentative FDA approval for its radio-equivalent to Lutathera
Lantheus’ version of a radiopharmaceutical capable of targeting somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) has been tentatively approved by the FDA.
One PSMA agent outshines competitors at detecting prostate cancer recurrence
An ongoing study is evaluating how capably two PSMA agents assess urinary radioactivity and identify smaller lesions in post-prostatectomy patients with low PSA biochemical recurrence.
Combining PET and MRI data may be key to differentiating new type of dementia
Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy, also known as LATE, was recently recognized as a type of dementia that occurs in older adults. It typically presents as memory-related cognitive decline.

Advances in genetics and medical imaging meet Richard III

Shakespeare called King Richard III a hunchback, but new genetic and reconstructive CT data show this story had more of a twist. Until recently, the exact nature and whereabouts of Richard's physical deformity was a mystery. While questions still daunt researchers, a compelling picture of the monarch's spine has emerged.

Biobank launches brain study

In this video, BBC reporter Fergus Walsh is the first to undergo an MRI scan as part of the largest scan study to date and describes how the study is evolving.

IBA Molecular awarded 3-year group purchasing agreement with Premier, Inc.

IBA Molecular North America, Inc. (IBA Molecular) announced the signing of a 3-year group purchasing agreement with Premier, Inc. (Premier), a leading health care improvement company, to offer PET radiopharmaceuticals, including 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), a diagnostic radiotracer used in oncology, neurology and cardiology, to Premier member imaging centers across the country.

Glass Brain shows 3D detail of brain connectivity

Watch a fly-through of Glass Brain, a 3D imagining of the human brain by researchers at the University of California San Francisco. This video shows the 3D brain model made possible by electroencephalography data and white matter tract reconstruction from MRI diffusion tensor imaging. UCSF is using the technology to research possible treatments for neurodegenerative disease.

Revisiting the human genome

The human genome was first mapped just a little over a decade ago. Its 3 billion bits of DNA are the pages of the human instruction manual. Read this great review featuring Eric S. Lander from MIT, Harvard, and the Broad Institute in Cambridge to see how far we've come and what the future of genomics holds.

Clarifying cancer with 3D modeling

The shape of cancer genomics may be a new calling card for 3D oncologic imaging. Studying the formation of cancer cell genomes could potentially provide more information about a patient's cancer than just focusing on genetic expression. Scientists at McGill University in Montreal are finding that the form of a cancer cell genome can even tell them what subtype of cancer a patient has.

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.

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.

Molecular Imaging

FDA clears new formulation of Lantheus' PSMA imaging agent

PET scans offer insight into how ketamine affects depression

Lantheus receives tentative FDA approval for its radio-equivalent to Lutathera

One PSMA agent outshines competitors at detecting prostate cancer recurrence

Combining PET and MRI data may be key to differentiating new type of dementia