Molecular Imaging, an Emerging Biomedical Research Discipline Enabling Visualization, Characterization, and Quantification of Biologic Processes




Molecular imaging is a fast growing discipline of biomedical imaging, which focuses on scanning molecular structures of interest within living human subjects. In contrast to more traditional techniques for getting molecular information out of preserved tissue samples like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging, this form of imaging relies on the ability to determine the position and properties of individual molecules in a living person.

Ultrasound Technology is one such application, where it is used for many things. It helps doctors view tumors through CT scans or other forms of imaging. It can also help detect certain types of cancer, detect heart disease or stroke through computed tomography (CT) imaging, and monitor brain function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

One of the main things about medical imaging today is its ability to create high resolution images of living things. This high resolution image is then sent to computers to create a digital version of the image that can be processed by medical professionals who are trained in how to use these molecular imaging systems. Some of the most common uses for this form of imaging are used for cancer diagnosis. Medical doctors and scientists use these systems in conjunction with X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET scans, CAT scans and cerebrospinal fluid studies to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of certain kinds of cancer.

Some medical scientists use the imaging systems to look at areas of the body, for example, that have a variety of problems. By performing an imaging study in these areas, doctors are able to see how the various systems within the body interact, and determine whether there is something that could be causing the problem. For instance, if a patient is suffering from a brain tumor and his doctor is examining his brain, he could use an imaging system to analyze whether or not he has a fluid buildup in the brain due to brain tumor cells.

Another area of imaging that is gaining more popularity with health care providers is neuroimaging. Neuroimaging means looking at how the brain processes information. This can help determine the brain's functions, while it is not functioning normally. By tracking brain activity, doctors can determine what areas of the brain need to be improved for better function and what areas are responsible for the problem. Neuroimaging can also help doctors better understand and monitor brain tissue. With this technology, they can determine which areas of the brain are damaged, and which areas are working properly. By studying the brain tissue, doctors can determine how to improve the function and structure of the brain.

The use of molecular imaging in medical practices has helped the medical field to advance at a rapid rate. As technology continues to improve, researchers and medical professionals will continue to make use of it in new ways. It is becoming more important for scientists to learn more about the human body. Several manufacturers are focused on testing positron emission tomography/computed tomography. For instance, in May 2020, Blue Earth Diagnostics, a Bracco company focused on molecular imaging diagnostics, announced results from early clinical experience in Germany with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging using rhPSMA-7.3 (18F), a radiohybrid Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen-targeted compound.


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