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Medical Imaging At The Cellular Level
Magnetic resonance medical imaging, based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance, makes a picture of the NMR signal in a narrow slice right through the human body. Photographs taken in sequence create a 3D picture of anatomical structures. Magnetic resonance medical imaging is the diagnostic tool of choice for viewing the nervous system as well as assessing soft tissue.
Molecular magnetic resonance imaging brings the level of visualization and analysis to the cellular and molecular level. At this level, it is possible to track and evaluate cellular functions that will give never-before-available medical imaging insight into the nature of the disease process. For instance, there has long been an established correlation between inflammation and heart disease. Yet, the medical imaging tools to measure inflammation connected to the heart haven't been accessible at a adequate enough level of measurement to fully explore the relationship.
The January 16, 2007 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences printed a study that uses molecular MRI medical imaging to get insight into the relationship between inflammation and heart disease. Researchers made a synthetic material, gadolinium�diethyltriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), that has the ability to catch and attach to white blood cells imbedded in arterial walls. The DPTA permitted mMRI medical imaging visualization of the WBC's, they could actually count the number of cells and calculate their stability. Researchers came across a positive correlation between the amount of white cells imbedded in the arterial walls and the probability of following heart attack. The initial research was performed on mice. Additional research will be conducted on bigger mammals and if it's successful, the research will move to human clinical trials. The search for more efficient and more exact medical imaging �tagging� media is the most popular new field of research in molecular magnetic resonance medical imaging. Recently, researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California at Berkeley have reported on research relating to a new medical imaging method for molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that can identify molecules 10,000x lower concentrations than regular MRI techniques. The method, called HYPER-CEST, for hyperpolarized xenon chemical exchange saturation transfer, hyperpolarizes atoms with laser light to enhance their MRI signal, then places the atoms into a nanoscale cage biosensor that's made specific for a particular protein target. This medical imaging method will most likely be very useful in detecting cancer cells at the very earliest stages of cancer presence.
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Author's Bio
Author Jesse Fisher likes composing articles for his clients which includes Transamerican Medical, a business that resells Philips Medical equipment and parts. See also Imaging Centers online directory.
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