Nuclear Imaging
There are many forms of nuclear imaging. There is the PET Scan, Thallium Scan, Gallium Scan, and SPECT. This form of nuclear medicine uses radioactive materials to detect, diagnose, and diseases. These procedures allow for a person to not undergo surgery to see what is inside or to deliver therapy. In the procedures, scientists choose an isotope that would occupy the brain at the time necessary to show the function of the brain. The half-life of the isotope is very important to take into consideration. The goal is to find or supply therapy to certain parts of the body without disrupting any of its functions.
PET Scan also is known as Positron Emission tomography helps by diagnosing, staging, and monitoring treatment of certain kinds of cancer. A PET neuroimaging can early diagnose Alzheimer’s which helps to distinguish between it from dementia. A PET Scan produce 3D images in high resolution. A commonly used tracer is 18 Fluoro 2 Deoxyglucose. The glucose will be absorbed by cells in the same manner as regular glucose would. Once absorbed the glucose goes through phosphorylation and stays inside of the cell. The now phosphorylated molecule is unstable and breaks down. The phosphorylated molecule releases a proton and two photons. The unit camera that produces the 3D image detects those photons. The Thallium Scan is used to study the blood flow to the heart muscle. The procedure uses traces of the radioactive of thallium which spreads through the heart muscle. It also includes the usage of gamma cameras to track the movement of the tracers through the heart muscle. The Gallium Scan uses radioactive nuclide. It is used by injecting the substance into the veins of the patient. That tracer travels through the bloodstream and collects where there is an accumulation of white blood cells. The accumulation of white blood cells means there is inflammation in the body tissue. It takes the images two-three days after the injection. SPECT is also known as single photon emission computed tomography. This scan is used to image tumors and infections. The procedure also studies the blood flow in the tissue.
Resources:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Core/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry/Nuclear_Chemistry/Applications_of_Nuclear_Chemistry/Application%3A_Radiation_in_Biology_and_Medicine/Case_Study%3A_Nuclear_Imaging
Resources:
https://chem.libretexts.org/Core/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry/Nuclear_Chemistry/Applications_of_Nuclear_Chemistry/Application%3A_Radiation_in_Biology_and_Medicine/Case_Study%3A_Nuclear_Imaging
Since I've just researched the topic of neurochemistry, especially focusing on the causes of Parkinson's, this is really interesting information! There must have been many stages to developing these different kinds of imaging techniques... firstly, understanding the chemical and biological makeup of the body and the cells, especially in diseases such as Alzheimer's and how that differs from a regular brain structure would probably have to be acquired. Then, discovering these tracers to track using these nuclear imaging techniques would need a whole separate understanding of nuclear chemistry and how different types of radiation affect the body. I wonder how many times they would have to go through the testing for a procedure like this before it was finally approved... they would probably need to check to make sure that the radiation was not overly detrimental to our health. These new solutions can be rejected very quickly I’m sure in favor of a better treatment, which is why our scientific knowledge has expanded so rapidly.
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