Amyloid Imaging Update: How the Amyloid Landscape Is Changing in Light of the Recent Food and Drug Administration Approval of Antiamyloid Therapeutics.

It has been some time since the has published an article on best practices in amyloid imaging. In light of the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of new antiamyloid therapies (AATs) to decrease amyloid plaques in the brain and slow progression of mild cognitive impairment, and the potential increase in the number of amyloid PET scans being acquired to document amyloid plaques, the felt it was a perfect time to publish a refresher on best practices. AATs are administered to help slow progression of mild cognitive impairment, allowing patients to live independently a little longer before having to give up their independence and move in with family or into an assisted living facility.

F-FES Whole-Body Imaging Protocol for Evaluating Tumor Estrogen Receptor Status in Patients with Recurrent or Metastatic Breast Cancer.

In September 2020, the published a continuing education article, "Breast Cancer: Evaluating Tumor Estrogen Receptor Status with Molecular Imaging to Increase Response to Therapy and Improve Patient Outcomes," that reviewed a promising new PET tracer, 16α-F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (F-FES). This tracer had the potential to be a valuable tool for medical oncologists and breast surgeons in noninvasively evaluating the estrogen receptor site status of their patients' recurrent tumor and secondary metastatic lesions. In May 2020, F-FES received Food and Drug Administration approval and began being marketed by Zionexa using the trade name Cerianna and manufactured by PETNET.

Breast Cancer: Evaluating Tumor Estrogen Receptor Status with Molecular Imaging to Increase Response to Therapy and Improve Patient Outcomes.

Current statistics show there are 3.5 million women in the United States living with breast cancer today, and approximately 330,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Of these new cases, 81% are invasive cancers.

Brain Imaging Quality Assurance: How to Acquire the Best Brain Images Possible.

Multiple factors affect image quality regardless of the organ being imaged. Every aspect of an image protocol must be followed to ensure the highest image quality and to prevent misinterpretation of the findings and an incorrect final report, which could negatively affect patient management. It is important that nuclear medicine technologists understand what can affect brain image quality and learn how to overcome challenges in performing any type of brain imaging, be it SPECT, dopamine transporter imaging, amyloid imaging, or F-FDG PET.

Effects of Alzheimer Disease on Patients and Their Family.

The diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) affects not only the patient but the entire family and their supporting caregivers. Understanding the stressors that affect these individuals enables us to provide the support and care they need to remain happy and healthy despite living with the diagnosis of AD. This continuing education article examines the epidemic of AD in the United States today and its emotional, psychologic, and financial effects.