Most Clicked SNM SmartBrief Stories
1. Review assesses recent developments in cardiac imaging
SNM SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
It is important to weigh the benefits of myocardial perfusion imaging against cancer risks, according to a review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The review assessed studies on MPI with SPECT, PET, MRI and CT and highlighted the year's guidelines, position papers and criteria for appropriate use, arguing the most significant ones focused on asymptomatic patients who did not have coronary artery disease. MolecularImaging.net (05/24)
2. New Alzheimer's agent likely to benefit research
SNM SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Doctors next month will be able to start using the newly approved Amyvid PET agent for Alzheimer's disease. Although some experts are concerned over the utility of the tracer, particularly because a positive result on the scan does not necessarily mean a patient has the disease, many say the new agent is important in advancing Alzheimer's research. MIT Technology Review online (05/23)
3. Studies: C-11 choline PET/CT diagnoses prostate cancer effectively
SNM SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Use of a carbon-11 choline radiotracer with PET/CT effectively diagnoses prostate cancer, outperforming standard methods, according to three studies presented at a urology conference. The three studies involved retrospective analyses of patients with prostate cancer who had choline-PET/CT scans over three years at the Mayo Clinic. The studies serve as "an important validation" of the approach, said Dr. Jeffrey Karnes, senior author of the three papers. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (05/23)
4. Researchers enrolling Alzheimer's patients for PET study
SNM SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Researchers at the Rhode Island Mood and Memory Research Institute are enrolling patients in clinical trials that will use PET brain imaging to detect the buildup of amyloid plaque, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. The researchers are seeking 50- to 80-year-old men and women with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. WPRI-TV (Providence, R.I.) (05/24)
5. Forest Labs stops development of cardiac imaging agent
SNM SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Forest Laboratories has halted the development of its radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging agent apadenoson, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The company did not give a reason for the move. The agent was part of a late-stage clinical trial that was recently canceled, according to a clinical trials database. Wall Street Journal, The (05/25)
6. Indian researchers to locally produce radiopharmaceuticals
SNM SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Researchers at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, India, have developed a method to locally produce radiopharmaceuticals used in scans to diagnose Parkinson's disease. The radiopharmaceuticals will be used in Dopamine Transporter System and HYNIC-TOC scans. "It took us almost two years to develop these products and get clearances. We plan to produce them on a larger scale and make them available to all nuclear medicine departments," said Dr. M.R.A. Pillai. Hindustan Times (India) (05/23)
7. SNM meeting to highlight global initiative, possible name change
SNM SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Members attending the SNM Annual Meeting next month will vote on changing the organization's name to "Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging," a move SNM's president says the majority of members support. Also at the conference, society President Dr. George Segall will discuss the four key components of SNM's global cooperation initiative, including the development of new radiopharmaceuticals and the adoption of combined modalities. "Nuclear medicine is a relatively small specialty, but through global cooperation we can leverage our resources and unique strengths for the benefit of patients throughout the world," Segall said. SNM is also expected to highlight radiation exposure and safety initiatives. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (05/25)
8. Scientists: Locks on Big Data threaten research
SNM SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
Internet technology corporations such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft hold vast amounts of data they often refuse to make public, even for publication of research based on the data. The scientific community cannot review and replicate research without access to data, and restricting access to data is unfair, scientists say. The practice is pervasive not only in IT, but also in life sciences, reviews have shown. New York Times (tiered subscription model), The (05/21)
9. New and updated Procedure Guidelines Manual now available!
SNM SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The Procedure Guidelines Manual includes all current, standardized protocols for nuclear medicine procedures. The manual has recently been updated to cover new and updated guidelines, including: "SNM Practice Guideline for Dopamine Transporter Imaging with 123I-Ioflupane SPECT 1.0," "The SNM Practice Guideline for Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy 2.0," and "SNM Practice Guideline for Lung Scintigraphy 4.0." Keep your department up to date! Blank (02/17)
10. Bayer to introduce technologies at SNM meeting
SNM SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
The Radiology & Interventional Division of Bayer HealthCare is preparing to unveil software that will allow for wireless integration of its Intego PET injectors with PACS. Bayer is also planning to unveil technology for delivery of low-energy radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging for small animals. The products will debut at the SNM Annual Meeting in June. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (05/24)
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