Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. 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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Friends and family noticing differences in loved ones' memory could predict early changes in the brain

Experts recently uncovered strong associations between reports of memory loss from patients' peers/loved ones and the presence of tau tangles on imaging.

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New Drug Application for PSMA-PET 'cold kit' could expand access to prostate imaging

If approved, the kit could allow for more flexible production of prostate cancer imaging agents.

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Machine learning winnows memory-care cohort to only the most appropriate nuc-med patients

An AI-aided way has emerged to confidently select dementia patients who are likely to benefit from amyloid-PET imaging while appropriately de-selecting patients for whom the costly exam would probably be unhelpful.  

PSMA PET/CT shows promise for spotting metastatic disease in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Up to 30% of patients have metastatic disease by the time they are initially diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, making accurate staging a critical element of treatment planning. 

Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly inks deal worth over $1.1B to develop new radiopharmaceuticals

The Indianapolis-based drugmaker can hit the hefty total by reaching certain clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones.

House Representative Neal Dunn

House committee advances key legislation to strengthen pay for diagnostic imaging agents

The FIND Act is supported by several industry stakeholders including ACR and the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging. 

medical imaging carbon emissions climate change

PET is an energy hog, but relatively rare utilization lessens its carbon footprint. MRI and CT have no such ‘out’

Medical imaging machinery uses a lot of power, and the extent to which it quickens the pace of global warming is becoming clearer.

A newly identified PET imaging biomarker could help providers tailor immunotherapy treatments for patients with certain types of cancers.

Researchers identify new PET imaging biomarker capable of predicting immunotherapy success

A newly identified PET imaging biomarker could help providers tailor immunotherapy treatments for patients with certain types of cancers. 

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