We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Events

ATTENTION: Due to the COVID-19 PANDEMIC, many events are being rescheduled for a later date, converted into virtual venues, or altogether cancelled. Please check with the event organizer or website prior to planning for any forthcoming event.

Molecular Imaging Offers Insight into Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 30 Mar 2023
Print article
Image: Molecular imaging offers insight into chemo-brain (Photo courtesy of Pexels)
Image: Molecular imaging offers insight into chemo-brain (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Chemo-brain, also known as chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), is a clinical condition that causes memory and concentration impairment, information processing and executive functioning difficulties, as well as mood and anxiety disorders. Although CRCI has been extensively studied from a clinical standpoint, little is known about the biological mechanisms that lead to chemo-brain. Now, new research findings have highlighted the role of nuclear medicine brain imaging in assessing the biological changes that cause CRCI. With this knowledge, patients can gain a better understanding of the changes in their cognitive status during and after treatment.

In order to gain insight into the current state of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging for chemo-brain, researchers at University Tor Vergata (Rome, Italy) conducted an extensive literature review. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines for literature searches, the researchers identified 22 relevant studies focused on two topics: 1) the effects of commonly used chemotherapy drugs on cognitive function, and 2) the results of SPECT and PET examinations related to CRCI. The findings of the review confirmed that chemotherapy drugs can have an impact on cognitive function, resulting in impaired executive function, anxiety, and sleep issues. The review also highlighted the usefulness of various SPECT and PET imaging techniques, which can visualize glucose consumption, blood flow, and receptor expression, all of which could potentially play a role in CRCI. Thus, nuclear medicine offers a variety of tools to thoroughly evaluate the physiopathological processes underlying CRCI.

“Nuclear medicine techniques can be used to investigate different physiopathological phenomena related to CRCI, such as cortical metabolism, dopamine transporter integrity, and neuroinflammation, with specific imaging probes,” said Agostino Chiaravalloti, MD, PhD, professor of nuclear medicine and nuclear medicine physician in the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention at University Tor Vergata. “However, nuclear medicine tests are not commonly considered in the work-up of patients with CRCI-related manifestations.”

“The findings presented could lead to a better understanding of the potential role of molecular imaging in the assessment of subtle changes in the brain after treatment and, possibly, in the monitoring of brain functions in patients treated with chemotherapy,” added Chiaravalloti.

Related Links:
University Tor Vergata

Gold Supplier
Portable X-Ray System
FDR Xair
New
Dose Area Product Measuring System
VacuDAP duo
New
Retrofittable DR Mammography Solution
AirDR M
New
Gonadal Diaper
RP274

Print article
Sun Nuclear -    Mirion
FIME - Informa

Channels

Radiography

view channel
Image: BiOI ruby-like crystals can improve medical imaging safety by lowering intensities of harmful X-rays (Photo courtesy of University of Cambridge)

Sustainable Solar Cell Material Could Revolutionize Medical Imaging

The use of X-rays for internal body imaging has dramatically changed non-invasive medical diagnostics. Yet, the high dose of X-rays required for these imaging techniques, due to the poor performance of... Read more

MRI

view channel
Image: The AI-powered platform offers a game-changing solution for age-related disease detection and management (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

AI-Driven Imaging Platform Analyzes MRI Data for Early Detection of Age-Related Diseases

The increasing prevalence of age-related illnesses and their effects on patients, healthcare systems, and economies present a substantial challenge in the healthcare sector. As the global population ages,... Read more

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: A novel, skull-implantable ultrasound device can open the blood-brain barrier to deliver chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Northwestern Medicine)

Skull-Implantable Ultrasound Device Enables Powerful Chemotherapy Drug to Reach Brain Tumors

A significant challenge in treating lethal brain cancer known as glioblastoma has been the inability of powerful chemotherapy to penetrate the blood-brain barrier to target the aggressive brain tumor.... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more

Industry News

view channel
Image: The global AI-enabled medical imaging solutions market is expected to reach USD 18.36 billion in 2032 (Photo courtesy of Freepik)

Global AI-Enabled Medical Imaging Solutions Market Driven by Need for Early Disease Detection

The AI-enabled medical imaging solutions market is currently in its developmental stages, following the significant role of AI-based tools in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic saw an upswing... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2023 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.