Articles tagged with Positron Emission Tomography
A new contrast agent has been developed to detect and image blood clots noninvasively, using a targeted approach to find clots anywhere in the body. The agent was tested in patients with atrial fibrillation and showed promising results.
A recent study suggests that Long-COVID symptoms, such as cognitive deficits and fatigue, may be attributed to fatigue rather than pathological changes in the brain. Neuroimaging results showed no significant differences in cerebral glucose metabolism or brain pathology between patients with long-COVID and healthy controls.
Researchers have demonstrated a new technique for cross-sectional medical images without the need for tomography, enabling faster and more accurate imaging. The breakthrough is made possible by ultrafast photon detectors that can precisely determine the arrival times of photons, allowing for reconstruction-free positron emission imaging.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have developed a method to identify non-responding tumors using hypoxia imaging, which shows promise for improving response rates. Investigational new drug evofosfamide was found beneficial in treating hypoxic tumors with immunotherapy.
New research reveals that microglia in the brain take up more glucose than previously thought, leading to altered PET scan images. This finding has significant implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases and developing new diagnostic tools.
Researchers identified a pattern that links the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins with a reduction of serotonin, which may help predict who will develop late-life depression. The study found that individuals expressing this pattern had more severe depressive symptoms.
Researchers found that early accumulation of tau proteins in the brain, measured by PET scanner, is more effective at predicting memory impairment than other biomarkers. The study suggests that tau PET should be recommended for clinical prognostic assessment of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers at the University of Münster have developed a new cell labelling method using SNAP-tag technology and positron emission tomography (PET) for whole-body imaging. This breakthrough allows for the visualization of specific cellular processes, opening up new avenues for understanding bodily functions.
A study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that PSMA PET/CT is more accurate than conventional CT in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma metastases. This led to a change in management plans for nearly half of the patients, enabling them to receive effective treatment.
A new PET imaging agent has been shown to solve 87% of diagnostic dilemmas in breast cancer patients, providing valuable information for personalized treatment decision-making. The agent's ability to visualize estrogen receptor expression across the body may improve patient outcomes and support broader implementation in clinical practice.
A new imaging technique using PET/MR and a PET tracer directed against CXCR4 shows high accuracy in detecting MALT lymphomas of the stomach, potentially reducing the need for repeated gastroscopies. The study found that [68Ga]Pentixafor PET/MR achieved 97% accuracy in detecting tumours compared to gastroscopy.
A new algorithm uses amyloid PET scans to gauge brain levels of Alzheimer's protein and estimate when symptoms will arise. By analyzing age and single scan data, the algorithm yields an estimate of how far a person has progressed toward dementia.
A new PSMA PET imaging technique can detect prostate cancer lesions throughout the body, enabling more precise treatment. The study shows that 64% of patients opted for alternative treatments after scanning due to detected metastasis outside the prostate.
Researchers developed a non-invasive optical technique using spectroscopy to identify structural changes in the brain and diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The new technology has potential as a simple, completely non-invasive method of early detection and could also assess treatment effectiveness.
The uEXPLORER total-body PET/CT scanner has been evaluated for its performance exceeding industry standards with ultra-high sensitivity and excellent spatial resolution. The study also proposed new phantom measurements to characterize long-AFOV scanners, enabling the testing of their performance in improving patient care.
Researchers have engineered an enzyme to bind to and degrade plastic particles, potentially helping to resolve the issue of complete recycling of PET in industry. The enzyme, called PET2, was found to accelerate the reaction between PET's chemical components and water when positive charges were introduced on its surface.
A new 'nomogram' helps predict which men with advanced metastatic prostate cancer will respond favorably to LuPSMA, a targeted therapy. The tool analyzes imaging and clinical data to stratify patients into high-risk or low-risk groups, enabling more personalized treatments.
A study published in Scientific Reports demonstrates the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to track the elimination of plastic particles from the bodies of mice. The research reveals that most small plastic particles are eliminated within two days, with smaller particles cleared faster than larger ones.
Researchers found deficits in neuronal function and cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients, with some impairments continuing six months after diagnosis. PET brain scans showed a significant recovery of regional neuronal function and cognition in most patients.
Researchers developed a novel PET tracer to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and predict rupture risk. The tracer, targeting chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), showed safety and effectiveness in diagnosing AAAs and assessing treatment response.
A phase III clinical trial validates the effectiveness of 18F-DCFPyL in detecting and localizing recurrent prostate cancer, achieving high positive predictive values across various regions. The study's results support the use of PSMA-targeted radiotracers as the most sensitive and accurate agents for imaging prostate cancer.
Dr. Thomas J. Ruth is recognized for his significant contributions to nuclear medicine, including the development of radioisotopes for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. He has been a leader in radiopharmaceutical sciences for over four decades and has mentored numerous scientists in the field.
Researchers developed a super-resolution technique that harnesses unwanted head motion to enhance brain PET image resolution. This method shows promise in detecting neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease at their earliest stages, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment.
Amino acid PET imaging improves diagnosis of recurring brain metastases and assesses patient response to new treatments. This non-invasive technique helps physicians optimize treatment strategies for patients with melanoma and lung cancer.
Researchers have identified four distinct patterns of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease, each leading to unique symptoms and prognoses. These subtypes include variant one, which primarily affects memory, and variants two, three, and four, which impact executive functions, visuospatial processing, and language ability, respectively.
A novel PET radiopharmaceutical targeting vascular adhesion protein 1 (VAP-1) showed promising results in a first-in-humans study. The compound was well-tolerated and safe, with thousands of times lower doses than regular drugs.
A new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer targeting inflammation has been shown to be safe and effective in identifying early stages of rheumatoid arthritis. The tracer rapidly clears from blood circulation and has a low radiation dose, making it suitable for patient imaging studies.
Researchers developed a new diagnostic tool that uses positron emission tomography and radioactive sugar to detect Enterobacterales infections. The technique was shown to be effective in detecting and localizing infections in patients, with no adverse effects.
Scientists have observed the collective movement of nanorobots in living mice, mirroring patterns found in nature. The nanorobots, powered by urease, induce fluid flows and display homogeneous distribution within the bladder.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a novel method for rapidly and efficiently separating oxygen-18 from oxygen-16, an isotope essential for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) diagnosis in cancer treatment. This breakthrough uses nanoporous carbon to achieve high-speed separation.
Researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 18F-fluoroestradiol to predict response to a novel treatment for ER-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients. The study found that higher baseline 18F-fluoroestradiol uptake was associated with longer progression-free survival.
Researchers created a model to identify patients with high-risk prostate cancer who will benefit from the PSMA PET scan. The study found that patients with a Gleason score of 9 or 10 and high percent positive cores are most likely to benefit from the scan.
Metal-containing diagnostic agents can detect early AD markers and synchrotron-independent, long-lived. They may improve access to AD imaging for risk groups, offering a solution to the current limitations of PET, MRI, and SPECT imaging.
Researchers developed an automated method to identify and track tau deposits in the brain, which may lead to earlier diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease. The technique revealed that tau deposits first emerge in the rhinal cortex region before spreading to other brain regions.
Researchers from King's College London found that whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) detects more myeloma cases than traditional PET/CT tests. The study showed that WBMRI allowed for critical treatment to be initiated earlier in 24% of cases, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
The UAB team created hollow polymer capsules that can track cancer drug delivery using PET imaging, targeting solid tumors and releasing anticancer drugs upon rupture. The system overcomes limitations in current PET-guided theranostic agents with stable zirconium-89 binding.
A new study expands the 64Cu-DOTATATE PET imaging time window to three hours post-injection, detecting similar numbers of lesions as a one-hour scan. The extended imaging time allows for more flexible routine imaging of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine are developing a novel brain imaging technique to detect chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in living patients. A two-year study involving former NFL players and controls aims to identify the tau protein associated with CTE using a second-generation tau PET tracer.
A study of 52,000 participants found that those with detectable brown fat were less likely to suffer cardiac and metabolic conditions. Brown fat burns energy, and its presence was linked to lower risk of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease.
Researchers used novel experimental designs to study brain activity during general anesthesia and normal sleep. They found that the effects of anesthesia and sleep on brain activity were surprisingly similar, pointing to a common central core brain network fundamental for human consciousness.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed new methods for producing cerium-134, a radioisotope that could serve as a tunable PET imaging surrogate for several alpha-emitting therapeutic isotopes. This breakthrough enables the creation of single molecular systems for both diagnosing and treating cancer in real time.
A proof-of-concept study found that 68Ga-pentixafor PET imaging effectively diagnoses and manages rare CNS B-cell lymphoma by targeting the CXCR4 biomarker. The imaging modality showed excellent contrast characteristics between lymphoma lesions and surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Researchers pooled data from multiple sites to visualize neuroinflammation in ALS patients, enhancing detection and developing drugs. The study used two second-generation translator protein tracers and found improved power to detect inflammation compared to individual site data alone.
The new PSMA PET imaging technique has been shown to detect significantly more prostate lesions than current standard-of-care techniques. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment outcomes and more precise care for men with prostate cancer.
Researchers develop a new PET-based imaging technique to detect abnormal tau protein deposits in the brain, which can diagnose Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration disorders with high accuracy. The method has shown promising results in detecting tau aggregates in patients with various forms of dementia.
A new study found that adding advanced PET scans to radiation plans for prostate cancer increases disease-free survival rates. After three years, 75.5% of patients treated with the additional imaging were still cancer-free, compared to 63% in the control group.
A Winship Cancer Institute study shows that advanced molecular imaging with fluciclovine improves disease-free survival rates for patients with recurring prostate cancer after prostatectomy. The trial found a 12% better cancer control rate at three years, persisting at four years.
A new radiolabeled molecule, [18F]3F4AP, shows promising results in detecting and characterizing brain injury. The tracer binds to potassium channels exposed in demyelinated neurons, making it a potential tool for imaging multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered that an anti-inflammatory drug, VX-765, can slow disease progression in a preclinical model of multiple sclerosis when delivered intranasally. This new therapy approach has shown promise in preserving myelin and glucose metabolism.
A new intraoperative imaging technique, Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI), can accurately assess surgical margins during radical prostatectomy by detecting prostate cancer tissue at the resection margin. CLI has shown high diagnostic accuracy in detecting tumor cells and positive surgical margins.
A Japanese team has developed a simple way to glean more detailed information from standard medical imaging scans by detecting the oxygen concentration of tissues throughout patients' bodies. The upgraded PET scanners may lead to more effective cancer treatment by quickly identifying parts of tumors with aggressive cell growth.
A team of researchers developed an innovative approach to identify and evaluate candidate molecules that can image and track the progression of Parkinson's disease. They screened millions of compounds using a high-throughput computational method, identifying two promising candidates with extremely high binding affinity to alpha-synuclein.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed an experimental imaging agent called Galuminox that detects inflammation via positron-emission tomography (PET) scans. The agent has shown promise in imaging inflammation in the lungs of mice with acute lung injury, and its potential uses include cancer treatment an...
A PET brain imaging study found that low aromatase levels in the amygdala are associated with higher BMI and lower self-control. The results suggest a novel method for characterizing estrogen's role in obesity and impairments in self-regulation.
A new study reveals a potential link between brain inflammation and fatigue in multiple sclerosis, using PET imaging to identify specific brain regions correlated with fatigue scores. The findings open new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic research into the debilitating symptom.
A blood test for Alzheimer's disease has shown high accuracy in detecting the disease, with levels of p-tau217 increasing seven-fold in individuals with Alzheimer's. The test detected tau brain changes 20 years before cognitive impairment in those with a genetic predisposition.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed a technique to detect minute amounts of p-tau-217, a protein fragment linked to Alzheimer's disease in the blood. The levels of this protein are elevated during the early stages of the disease and can accurately predict the presence of amyloid plaques in PET scans.
Researchers used a novel imaging agent to visualize inter-organ communication between the heart and kidneys via the immune system following acute myocardial infarction. The study found a systemic inflammatory response, suggesting a potential mechanism for disease progression and therapy response.
A new radiotracer measures synaptic density changes in the brain after stroke, providing an objective and quantitative measure of disease progression. This method may also help detect stroke early and evaluate recovery.
Peter S. Conti, MD, PhD, received the 2020 Benedict Cassen Prize for his pioneering work in radiopharmaceuticals and clinical PET applications for cancer imaging. The award recognizes his contributions to advancing nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.