Amyloid plaques build up on one side of the brain, responsible for language and communication, in patients with primary progressive aphasia, or PPA, a finding researchers said will help in diagnosing and treating the condition.  Researchers at Northwestern University found the plaques build up primarily on the left side of the brain using a new type of positron emission topography, or PET, scans that detect amyloids. {read more here}

The Kircher laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, USA, is developing novel nanoprobes for molecular imaging, image-guided therapy and theranostics. Its ultimate goal is to develop a universal technology that allows precise determination of the actual spread of a tumour in vivo. Currently surgeons cannot see the microscopic extent of the tumour during a procedure, which is essential information for tumour removal and avoiding excess tissue excision. {read more here}

As radiology professionals converged on Vienna over the last few days, there has been mounting anticipation for this year’s meeting of the European Congress of Radiology (ECR). HCB News was there to see and hear the opening day announcements and presentations as they happened, and some of the most interesting items pertained to molecular imaging. {read more here}

Researchers at University College, London have developed a way of finding unique markings within a tumor – its “Achilles heel” – allowing the body to target the disease. But the personalized method, reported in Science journal, would be expensive and has not yet been tried in patients.  {read more here}