Articles tagged with Positron Emission Tomography
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have successfully transplanted adult stem cells into injured hearts, improving pumping efficiency for a year in a mouse model. The study used innovative imaging techniques to track the stem cells' location and performance over time.
A study presented at the ARRS 2010 Annual Meeting found that FDG-PET/CT accurately confirmed a suspected colorectal cancer recurrence in 40 out of 71 patients. This early detection enables improved treatment planning and targeted patient care for those with recurrent colorectal cancer.
Researchers used FDG PET scans to identify 'cold spots' in tumors, finding that most were composed of dead cells. By reducing radiation doses to these areas, patients may experience less damage while achieving the same therapeutic effect.
Research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine suggests that molecular imaging using 18F-FDG PET/CT can help diagnose acute and chronic aortic dissection. This non-invasive technique can provide images to determine the difference between acute and chronic dissections, helping doctors decide the best course of treatment.
The use and costs of diagnostic imaging for Medicare patients with cancer increased substantially between 1999 and 2006. PET scans saw the largest increase, accompanied by a reduction in conventional nuclear medicine tests and stabilized CT scans.
A study by Duke University Medical Center found that imaging costs rose faster than overall cancer care for Medicare patients. The use of PET scans increased significantly, with a mean annual growth rate of 36-53% across six cancer types.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM) has received a $48,000 grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to develop research on comparative effectiveness of PET and other molecular imaging techniques. The primary emphasis will be on cancer diagnosis and management, with cardiology and neurolog...
A new imaging technique using FDG PET can help doctors plan cardiac procedures, reducing cost and improving patient outcomes. The study found a trend toward better patient outcomes when FDG PET is used in diagnostic work-up.
A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found significant geographic variation in noninvasive diagnostic imaging utilization rates among Medicare beneficiaries. The study revealed that Atlanta had the highest utilization rate, while Seattle had the lowest, with a difference of over 50% between the two regions.
Researchers found that psychopaths have a hyper-reactive dopamine reward system, linked to violent crime, recidivism, and substance abuse. The study suggests that impulsive traits and heightened attraction to rewards overwhelm concerns about risk, contributing to problematic behaviors.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that PET scanner ownership by non-radiologists has significantly increased, outpacing radiologist-owned scans. This trend contributes to unnecessary imaging utilization and increased costs.
A new investigational drug, bapineuzumab, has been shown to reduce amyloid-β deposits in the brain by 25% in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. This breakthrough finding could help assess the efficacy of other drugs for Alzheimer's treatment.
Researchers at Rice University developed an amplitude gating technique to improve PET/CT scanner efficiency. The method uses a flexible chest band to record breathing cycles during CT scans, creating sharper images with better tumor detection accuracy.
A new study provides clear pediatric PET dose guidelines, allowing clinicians to calculate the optimal radiotracer dose based on a child's weight. The findings suggest that patients can receive high-quality images with reduced scan time or lower doses, minimizing radiation exposure for young children.
A study using positron emission tomography (PET) brain scans identified different forms of Parkinsonism with high accuracy. The research found that image-based classification had excellent specificity and positive predictive value for idiopathic Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy.
A new imaging test has detected early Alzheimer's disease in older adults, which is likely to progress into symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. The test uses Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) to bind to beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, identifying individuals who are at risk of developing dementia.
A recent study found that 95% of radiation oncologists utilize advanced imaging modalities like FDG-PET and MRI for target delineation. The most common technologies used were FDG-PET and MRI, with nearly 75% of respondents using one or both.
A study found that combining positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) scans six to eight weeks after chemoradiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer can identify patients who will respond to treatment. The test also showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting residual disease and distant metastases.
Researchers discuss imaging techniques that may contribute to early diagnosis and advancements in treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The study highlights the potential of biomarkers like MRI and PET to identify underlying structural and functional pathology in AD, MCI, and related diseases.
A rapid decline in PET scan activity is correlated with good local tumor control and better lung cancer outcomes. Higher pre-treatment metabolic activity and tumor size are associated with increased risk of death from lung cancer.
A new study suggests that PET imaging before radiation therapy should not be used to determine areas that may benefit from higher doses of radiation. Researchers found that activity patterns in some patients changed completely after treatment, making it unreliable as a predictor.
Researchers used PET scans to identify neuroinflammation in the brains of schizophrenics and migraine sufferers, shedding light on the underlying causes of these conditions. The findings have the potential to transform diagnosis and treatment options, particularly for schizophrenia.
A new molecular imaging technique using PET imaging shows promising results in evaluating and predicting the course of endometrial carcinoma. The technique combines estrogen receptor expression imaging with 18F-FDG PET to improve diagnostic accuracy, potentially saving women from unnecessary operations and biopsies.
Scientists have developed a potential new material for diagnosing malignant melanoma with greater accuracy than current imaging agents. The substance, called fluoronicotinamides, revealed melanoma cells with high tumor-to-body contrast ratio and rapid renal clearance.
Joanna Fowler, a senior chemist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, will be awarded the National Medal of Science for her outstanding contributions to brain research and disease study. Her work using positron emission tomography (PET) has led to breakthroughs in understanding drug addiction and the human brain.
A new study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows that PET/CT scans with the imaging agent choline can detect recurring prostate cancer sooner than conventional imaging technologies. Researchers found a strong association between PET/CT detection and PSA levels, and suggest using specific criteria to reduce unnecessary scans.
Radiologists and medical physicists have implemented low-dose protocols and tracking systems to reduce cumulative ionizing radiation exposure. The Radiological Society of North America has launched initiatives to raise awareness of radiation risks and explore opportunities to improve patient safety through partnerships with the America...
A team of MIT chemists has created a new synthesis technique that allows for the easy addition of fluorine atoms to aromatic compounds, commonly used in drugs. This breakthrough could lead to more flexible and cost-effective drug design and development.
A new study found that positron emission tomography (PET) can accurately depict the extent of neuroblastoma in some patients, especially those with early-stage disease. FDG-PET imaging may also be useful in identifying malignant lesions not readily absorbable by MIBG.
Researchers found that low scores on a memory recall test and low glucose metabolism in brain regions can predict a 15-fold greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study used cognitive tests and brain scans to identify early warning signs of the debilitating disease.
Researchers have identified a combination of brain imaging, memory tests, and protein analysis that can accurately diagnose early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study used data from the ADNI initiative and found that combining these methods resulted in classification accuracy rates of up to 95.7%.
Researchers at SNM's 56th Annual Meeting present a prototype breast imaging system combining positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies. The system aims to provide highly sensitive and specific breast cancer examinations while compensating for the shortcomings of individual PET or MRI systems.
A new study presents PET scan results that can accurately diagnose specific types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, in the early stages. This can lead to targeted treatments and improved care outcomes for over 5 million newly diagnosed patients each year.
Researchers at SNM's Annual Meeting discovered that combining motion-frozen technology and high-definition PET enhances cardiac imaging, revealing defects invisible to physicians. The method provides exceptional image quality and significantly changes the diagnosis of patients with heart disease.
Researchers at SNM's 56th Annual Meeting propose a novel approach to reconstructing data that could enable the development of a hybrid PET-MR system. The new method uses MR images as a geometrical reference to estimate attenuation and improve accuracy.
Researchers have developed a new fully integrated PET/MRI system that can provide whole-body images of rats and small animals. The system offers significant improvements in imaging capabilities, enabling increased understanding of disease characteristics and physiological processes.
Michael R. Kilbourn, a professor at the University of Michigan, received the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award for his contributions to molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. He has advanced research efforts in various areas, including positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceuticals.
Researchers found that adults, particularly young women, have functional brown adipose tissue, which burns calories and generates heat. Three ounces of brown fat can burn hundreds of calories per day.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has published a comprehensive guide to PET scanning in cancer therapy, providing international guidelines and criteria for response assessment. The new supplement aims to improve tumor response assessment and treatment monitoring with FDG PET imaging.
The ADNI has completed a high-density genome-wide analysis of over 800 participants, providing a unique opportunity for researchers to explore genetic factors related to Alzheimer's disease. The data will be shared with scientists worldwide for further analysis and gene discovery.
Researchers used innovative brain-scan technology developed at UCLA to help diagnose brain aging, often before symptoms appear. The study combined PET scans with patient-specific information on Alzheimer's risk and found that older age correlated with higher concentrations of abnormal protein deposits in the brain.
A new technique for imaging the breast, positron emission mammography (PEM), has been found to be effective in detecting breast cancer without being affected by breast density or a woman's hormonal status. PEM has a higher sensitivity rate than standard mammography and breast MRI, with fewer false-positive results.
A nationwide study has confirmed the effectiveness of positron emission tomography (PET) in monitoring tumor activity and changing treatment plans for more than one out of three cancer patients. PET was found to be clinically significant, resulting in a change in treatment in 36% of cases.
A TGen-led team found a link between the brain protein KIBRA and reduced Alzheimer's disease risk in individuals with the T-allele gene. The study suggests that KIBRA may play a role in Alzheimer's disease, providing promising new targets for treatments.
A recent study found that positron emission tomography (PET) scans led to changes in treatment plans for more than half of patients with suspected recurrent colorectal cancer. The study, conducted at four sites in Australia, involved 191 patients and showed that PET scans identified additional disease sites in 48% of patients, allowing...
Researchers found that serotonin transporter binding potential values were higher in fall and winter, suggesting a link between lower serotonin levels and seasonal mood changes. The study suggests that variations in brain serotonin levels may explain why people feel happier on sunny days and more sluggish during the dark winter season.
Recent advancements in cardiac imaging have led to the detection of impairments in cellular processes that precede changes in morphology and function. These early stages can be identified through various imaging techniques such as PET, nuclear imaging, MRI, ultrasound, and optical imaging.
A new PET study reveals a direct correlation between hereditary personality traits, particularly reward dependency, and brain chemistry. Individuals with high reward dependence have higher opiate receptor binding in the ventral striatum, associated with increased cravings and addictive behavior.
A type of PET scanning may be useful in non-invasive assessment of brain plaque formation. Six patients with beta-amyloid plaques displayed a higher uptake of the marker [11C]PiB in certain brain areas compared to those without such accumulations.
A small sample of adults with mild age-related memory loss showed increased brain metabolism and normalized brain function after taking Aricept for 18 months. The study suggests treating early symptoms of memory loss may protect the brain and help with mild age-related cognitive decline.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subcallosal cingulate region significantly improves symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. The procedure showed continued and sustained benefits over time, with no long-term side effects reported.
The NIH is providing $33.3 million for 20 High-End Instrumentation grants, supporting the purchase of advanced research equipment costing over $750,000. These grants aim to enable new discoveries and treatments in disease areas such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's.
Using an engineered virus, UCLA researchers locate prostate cancer cells in the pelvic lymph nodes, where it spreads first before invading other organs. The discovery may lead to more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for advanced prostate cancer.
Researchers developed a promising new technique to track genetically engineered cells using antibody fragments as reporter genes, which could advance disease treatment. The technique offers several advantages over existing methods, including improved specificity and accuracy.
Two images, one showing neuroendocrine cancer relapse and the other a foot infection, demonstrate molecular imaging's ability to provide precise snapshots of disease anatomy. Imaging techniques are increasingly being used in combination to improve treatment planning and patient outcomes.
Researchers used PET scans to analyze 38 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan. The study found that 89% of patients were in complete or partial remission after treatment, with a higher response rate for patients with limited cancer progression.
Researchers used PET imaging to detect structural and functional alterations in the circulatory system of asymptomatic diabetic patients. The study found that PET revealed coronary vascular dysfunction as a precursor to coronary artery disease, which may precede structural changes in the arterial wall.
Scientists used Exploratory Investigational New Drug (ExpIND) to evaluate four 18F-labeled imaging agents in patients with Alzheimer's disease, identifying the best detector of amyloid plaque deposits. The study suggested that ExpIND could speed up the development of new radiopharmaceuticals while ensuring patient safety.
The first semiconductor-based PET scanner demonstrates improved spatial resolution and reduced noise, enabling better characterization of diseases such as partial epilepsy and nasopharyngeal cancer. This technology holds promise for advancing early-stage diagnoses and assessing patient responses to therapies.
The new scanner enables physicians to determine stages of breast cancer in patients already diagnosed, rather than as a mammography screening tool. It also helps plan breast cancer surgeries and detect early whether drug treatments are effective.