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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Antibody drug therapy disrupts amyloid toxicity in the brain

Amyloid plaque is a known neurotoxin and hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology. There are currently no drugs approved to treat the chronic neurodegenerative disease. Fighting the disease with antibodies is showing encouraging results by negating the neurotoxic damage left in the wake of beta-amyloid aggregation, according to a study published April 30 in the Journal of Neuroscience.

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AAN: Florbetaben PET rules out amyloid pathology

A negative florbetaben PET scan provides solid evidence to rule out amyloid pathology in the brain based on phase III trial data matched by histopathology. The research was presented Wednesday during the Emerging Sciences session of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting in Philadelphia.

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AAN: Super Bowl hero receives award for advocating awareness of TBI

Today the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) will be presenting a leadership in neurology award to Ben Utecht, a National Football League champion who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that tackled his career in 2009.

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.

Incretin receptor imaging: A new option for NETs

In the first trial of its kind, a new type of peptide receptor is being targeted in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) imaging, which could reveal previously hidden cancer, according to a study published April 17 in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

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AAN: DaTscan SPECT on display for diagnosis of dopamine disorders

Data from multiple clinical trials for DaTscan (I-123 FP-CIT Ioflupane) using SPECT shows that the exam is very sensitive for detecting striatal dopaminergic deficits, according to a presentation during the American Academy of Neurology being held April 26 through May 3 in Philadelphia.

Vizamyl distribution to begin within a few months

The first markets for newly FDA-approved Vizamyl (F-18 flutemetamol), designated for ruling out Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, were announced during the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology this week in Philadelphia, according to a statement from its producer, GE Healthcare.

A-synuclein drug therapy in the pipeline for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s

A potential therapy targeting the misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative disease including Alzheimer;s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease is edging closer to human trials, NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals announced April 22.

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