Functional imaging in neurodegenerative disorders: past, present and future

The present monographic issue of the Quarterly Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging is dedicated to the role of functional imaging in the broad field of neurodegenerative disorders, with a special focus on some of the most relevant topics of the last decades, of the present time and of the near future. Functional neuroimaging is close to reach the time in which it will be routinely implemented in clinical practice and in which the principles of "molecular imaging" will aid clinical diagnosis disclosing the fine extra- and intracellular deposit of protein aggregates and neuroinflammation markers. The almost simultaneous advancement in nuclear medicine techniques, i.e., PET-MRI, along with the development of new tracers and the implementation of more and more sophisticated image analysis software will assign to neuroimaging a preeminent role in the diagnostic algorithm both in neurological and psychiatric practice

Language of Lullabies: The Russification and De-Russification of the Baltic States

This article argues that the laws for promotion of the national languages are a legitimate means for the Baltic states to establish their cultural independence from Russia and the former Soviet Union

Highlights lecture EANM 2015: the search for nuclear medicine’s superheroes

The EANM 2015 Annual Congress, held from October 10th to 14th in Hamburg, Germany, was outstanding in many respects. With 5550 participants, this was by far the largest European congress concerning nuclear medicine. More than 1750 scientific presentations were submitted, with more than 250 abstracts from young scientists, indicating that the future success of our discipline is fuelled by a high number of young individuals becoming involved in a multitude of scientific activities. Significant improvements have been made in molecular imaging of cancer, particularly in prostate cancer. PSMA-directed PET/CT appears to become a new gold standard for staging and restaging purposes. Novel tumour specific compounds have shown their potential for target identification also in other solid neoplasms and further our understanding of tumour biology and heterogeneity. In addition, a variety of nuclear imaging techniques guiding surgical interventions have been introduced. A particular focus of the congress was put on targeted, radionuclide based therapies. Novel theranostic concepts addressing also tumour entities with high incidence rates such as prostate cancer, melanoma, and lymphoma, have shown effective anti-tumour activity. Strategies have been presented to improve further already established therapeutic regimens such as somatostatin receptor based radio receptor therapy for treating advanced neuroendocrine tumours. Significant contributions were presented also in the neurosciences track. An increasing number of target structures of high interest in neurology and psychiatry are now available for PET and SPECT imaging, facilitating specific imaging of different subtypes of dementia and movement disorders as well as neuroinflammation. Major contributions in the cardiovascular track focused on further optimization of cardiac perfusion imaging by reducing radiation exposure, reducing scanning time, and improving motion correction. Besides coronary artery disease, many contributions focused on cardiac inflammation, cardiac sarcoidosis, and specific imaging of large vessel vasculitis. The physics and instrumentation track included many highlights such as novel, high resolution scanners. The most noteworthy news and developments of this meeting were summarized in the highlights lecture. Only 55 scientific contributions were mentioned, and hence they represent only a brief summary, which is outlined in this article. For a more detailed view, all presentations can be accessed by the online version of the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (Volume 42, Supplement 1)

Targeting T and B lymphocytes with radiolabelled antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Acute and chronic forms of inflammation may occur years before the onset of specific symptoms, on which the clinical diagnosis can be settled, and may last for years after the clinical diagnosis and the onset of treatment. Therefore, to develop a sensitive and specific diagnostic tool several novel molecules/ receptors identified and new antibodies have been radiolabelled with different radionuclides, as per their need for diagnosis or therapy. Cluster of differentiation (CD) molecules are markers on the cell surface used to identify the cell type, stage of differentiation and activity of a cell. These CD markers are recognized by specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). These radiolabelled mAbs bind to their targets with high affinity and specificity and consequently have an excellent diagnostic and/ or therapeutic potential. In the last two decades, the radiolabelled mAbs have demonstrated its significant impact on diagnosis and radioimmunotherapy. In this review article, we will discuss different possible targets for T and B cells and their radiolabelled mAbs for molecular imaging and radioimmunotherapy

Programmed intermittent epidural bolus improves efficacy of patient controlled epidural analgesia in postoperative pain management

Background: Postoperative acute pain will have negative impacts if not handled properly so it must be treated effectively. Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA) allows the patient to have an active role in determining the need of analgesia personally. Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus (PIEB) is a new method which proven better than Continuous Epidural Infusion. Ropivacaine has similar characteristic to Bupivacaine but with minimal cardiotoxic effect. Fentanyl as an adjuvant can accelerate the onset of action of local anesthetics in epidural analgesia. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of PCEA+PIEB with PCEA as a modality of postoperative analgesia. Methods: Total 54 patients undergoing major surgery of the abdomen and lower extremities were divided into 2 groups randomly: PIEB+PCEA and PCEA. Then we did an evaluation of VAS, PCA demand, and total consumption of solution Ropivacaine 0.1% + Fentanyl 2 mcg/mL at 4 hours, 8 hours, and 24 hours postoperative Results: VAS at resting and at moving in both groups were found clinically comparable, although statistically, VAS at moving at 4 hours and 24 hours postoperative were lower in PCEA+PIEB group (p < 0.01). PCA attempted and PCA given were lower in PCEA+PIEB group (p = 0.05). Total consumption of solution until 8 hours postoperative was comparable in both groups but at 24 hours postoperative it was much greater in PCEA+PIEB group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: PCEA+PIEB have greater efficacy than PCEA. VAS (at resting and at moving), PCA attempted, and PCA given were lower in PCEA+PIEB group. Total consumption of solution Ropivacaine-Fentanyl until 8 hours postoperative was comparable, but at 24 hours postoperative it was much greater in PCEA+PIEB group. In orthopedic surgery, VAS at resting was obtained below 30 mm in PCEA+PIEB group but VAS at moving was obtained in the category of moderate pain in both groups