Johns Hopkins researchers have begun genetically modifying adult cells to create balls of neurons that may serve as “mini-brains,” potentially good for preclinically studying—in petri dishes rather than in animals—Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism and the effects of drugs, for starters.

When it comes to predicting the cognitive-impairment course Alzheimer’s disease will take in a mildly stricken patient, neither of two tracers commonly used with PET—18F-FDG (for assessing glucose metabolism) and 11C-PiB (for assessing amyloid deposits)—brings much to the table. And that’s so regardless of automated vs. visual analysis.

A range of new assays has been released by Siemens for use on ADVIA Centaur and IMMULITE XPi 2000 systems.Launch includes the first automated quantitative thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay used in the diagnosis of Graves’ disease.

Preliminary research at Imperial College London has shown that increased levels in binding of the Alzheimer’s-associated radioligand 11C-PiB—the go-to radioactive biochemical substance in PET imaging for cerebral amyloid beta plaque—also show up in people who have had traumatic brain injury, and for more than a decade after the TBI event. 

Selangor, Malaysia, Jan 29, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - A biochemical compound developed as a radioactive tracer for cell proliferation shows increasing potential for use in cancer imaging, according to a recent paper published in the Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology. 

The NIH’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) is inviting researchers to apply for dollars to explore ways to harmonize imaging strategies with biomarker methodologies en route to creating an integrated system for cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and care.

The World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS) has announced the addition of two new interest groups: Synthetic Biology and Reporter Genes and Molecular Imaging Nanotechnology and Theranostics. 

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