The news summaries appearing in SNM SmartBrief are based on original information from multiple internet sources and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher. The items below are not selected or reviewed by SNM prior to publication. Questions and comments may be directed to SmartBrief at snm@smartbrief.com.

Top Story

• Expert highlights clinical significance of molecular imaging
  Three areas that could significantly benefit from advances in molecular imaging, says Markus Schwaiger of the Technical University of Munich in Germany, are neurodegeneration, coronary artery disease and cancer. Because the cost of developing imaging probes is high, Schwaiger urged the imaging community to work with researchers to be more selective and prioritize those projects that relate to actual disease processes. Diagnostic Imaging (10/13)

Clinical News & Research

• PET provides data on methamphetamine pharmacokinetics
  U.S. researchers used PET scanning cameras to investigate whether the rates at which methamphetamine enters and is distributed in the brain are important factors in determining the addictive effect of the drug. The researchers found that both cocaine and methamphetamine entered the brain quickly. Unlike cocaine, however, methamphetamine stayed in the brain longer and was concentrated all over the brain. The level of dopamine transporters in the brain also was found to affect methamphetamine uptake in the brain. PhysOrg.com (10/13)

Industry Report

• GE Healthcare unveils newest PET/CT system
  GE Healthcare has launched the Discovery PET/CT 600, a system that combines the imaging capabilities of GE's BrightSpeed CT with the motion-management capacity of the Discovery PET system. The new PET/CT system "represents a big step in capabilities addressing the biggest clinical challenge in PET/CT, managing and correcting for motion," said Henry Hummel, general manager of the company's global PET/CT business. MarketWatch/Business Wire/News release (10/13)

• FDA to review Acusphere's contrast agent
  Acusphere said the FDA will review its Imagify contrast agent in a public meeting in December. Imagify is used to detect coronary artery disease in patients with stable chest pain under evaluation for inducible ischemia, the company said. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (10/13)

News from the Field

• Medical imaging facilities should be proactive, expert says
  As insurers and private payers continue to take different cost-cutting measures to address the overutilization of diagnostic imaging, imaging centers need to be more proactive by planning for accreditation and tiered networks, said Ron Howrigon, president and founder of consulting firm Fulcrum Strategies. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (10/13)

International Developments

• EU undertakes translational research on lipidomics
  The European Union has launched a translational research project that aims to promote lipidomics in the development of new drugs to treat diabetes, cancer, stroke and other diseases where lipids play an important role. LipidomicNet is a collaboration between 21 European research groups and five small and medium-sized enterprises with expertise in analytical and bioinformatics technologies. Scrip (10/10)

Health Policy

• FDA seeks comments on new medical-imaging guidance
  The FDA is accepting public comments on a draft guidance for makers of medical-imaging drugs and devices that provide contrast enhancement. The guidance focuses on developing new contrast indications for imaging devices that use approved drugs or biological products. It also contains recommendations to promote the timely and effective evaluation and regulation of imaging drugs and devices. HealthImaging.com (10/13)

• Anti-piracy law protects pharmaceutical innovation
  President George W. Bush signed into law a bill that establishes a high-ranking administration coordinator tasked with protecting the intellectual property of the pharmaceutical industry and other businesses. The PRO-IP Act shows that "the U.S. will go the extra mile to protect American innovation," said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Wall Street Journal (10/14) , The Washington Post/Reuters (10/13)

Advancing Health Care

• CMS introduces EHR incentive program for smaller practices
  The CMS worked with federal and state health agencies to launch an incentive program aimed at encouraging small and midsize physician practices to use electronic health records. Under the program, eligible practices could receive as much as $290,000 in incentives over five years. HealthImaging.com (10/13)

From SNM

• Purchase the CT Case Review from the 2008 Annual Meeting today!
  If you missed this valuable learning experience, SNM captured the individual cases online and is making them available to you now. The case review contains 100 CT cases -- 25 cases in each of four sections: head and neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis -- for review and interpretation. More information.

• Renew your SNM membership today!
  By renewing your SNM membership today, you are investing in the future of molecular imaging. Your investment ensures that the future is filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth. More information.

SmartQuote

Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions; they pass no criticisms." --George Eliot, English novelist