Imaging News and Research

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Future Alzheimer's treatments may be effective before the onset of symptoms

Memory lapses that occur with normal aging are a source of worry for many who fear Alzheimer's disease. Now a new Mayo Clinic-led study published in the July 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the carriers of a common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease begin to have memory declines in their mid-50s, far earlier than previously thought.

2 Sep 2009

Structural MRI for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders

A new Mayo Clinic study may help physicians differentially diagnose three common neurodegenerative disorders in the future. The study will be presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease on July 11 in Vienna.

2 Sep 2009

Rapid progression of multiple sclerosis linked to smoking

Patients with multiple sclerosis who smoke appear to experience a more rapid progression of their disease, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

2 Sep 2009

New findings on molecular imaging and prostate cancer

A new study published in the September issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows that positron emission tomography (PET)/computer tomography (CT) scans with the imaging agent choline could detect recurring prostate cancer sooner than conventional imaging technologies in some patients who have had their prostates surgically removed.

2 Sep 2009

Merge Healthcare acquires Confirma

With the completion of its acquisition of Confirma, Inc. today, Merge Healthcare Incorporated (NASDAQ: MRGE) has enhanced its medical imaging capabilities to become a market leader in MRI computer-aided detection (CAD) applications. The combined business now has the capability to widen the global adoption of CAD technology through Merge’s international distribution network, as well as provide broader interoperability of this important tool within the health IT enterprise.

2 Sep 2009

New method found for the diagnosis of cartilage disease

In its quest to find new strategies to treat osteoarthritis and other diseases, a Boston University-led research team has reported finding a new computer tomography contrast agent for visualizing the special distributions of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) - the anionic sugars that account for the strength of joint cartilage.

2 Sep 2009

Policymakers need to be educated on the radical difference between radiation therapy and diagnostic testing

Concerned members of the cancer community, including physicians, patient organizations and other care advocates, spoke out today in opposition to a proposed federal policy under consideration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would lump life-saving radiation therapy in with diagnostic testing services in receiving major Medicare funding cuts.

2 Sep 2009

Patients with PFO may have increased odds of postoperative strokes

Patients who have a heart defect known as patent foramen ovale incidentally discovered and repaired during surgery for a different condition may have an increased odds of postoperative stroke, along with no clear benefit on short-term outcomes or long-term survival, according to a study in the July 15 issue of JAMA.

2 Sep 2009

Playing Tetris may increase brain efficiency

Brain imaging shows playing Tetris leads to a thicker cortex and may also increase brain efficiency, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Research Notes. A research team based in New Mexico is one of the first to investigate the effects of practice in the brain using two image techniques.

2 Sep 2009

MammoSite ML radiation therapy system approved for breast cancer treatment

Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Company's 510K application for the MammoSite((R)) ML radiation therapy system.

1 Sep 2009

American Imaging Management discusses about diagnostic imaging in a journal

American Imaging Management(R) (AIM), an operating subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. and one of the leading companies in the radiology benefit management industry, today commended articles on diagnostic imaging that appear in the August 27, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

1 Sep 2009

Research reveals that practicing Tetris increases brain efficiency

Researchers at the Mind Research Network today announced the findings of a scientific study that used brain imaging and Tetris to investigate whether practice makes the brain efficient because it increases gray matter. Over a three-month period, adolescent girls practiced Tetris, a computer game requiring a combination of cognitive skills. The girls who practiced showed greater brain efficiency, consistent with earlier studies. Compared to controls, the girls that practiced also had a thicker cortex, but not in the same brain areas where efficiency occurred.

1 Sep 2009

Brain research reveals that juggling practice increased gray matter in the motor areas of the brain

1 Sep 2009

H1N1 flu vaccine forms processing service launched by Quality Associates

Quality Associates, Inc. (QAI) www.qualityassociatesinc.com, an established provider of services and solutions for large-scale document management, imaging, and archiving, announced the launch of its H1N1 Flu Vaccine Forms Processing Service, a comprehensive approach to help states, cities, counties, and providers in the private sector successfully and accurately capture and record essential demographic and health data from medical consent forms – a critical step in the administration of the H1N1 vaccine to millions nationwide beginning this fall.

1 Sep 2009

Medical device report provides key data, information and analysis on diagnostic imaging market

Global Markets Direct’s medical device report: “The Future of the Diagnostic Imaging Market to 2015” report provides key data, information and analysis on the global diagnostic imaging market. The report provides market landscape, competitive landscape and market trends information on six market categories including computed tomography systems, mammography equipment, MRI systems, nuclear imaging equipment, ultrasound systems and x-ray systems.

1 Sep 2009

BioClinica offers streamlined electronic transport solutions with the acquisition of CardioNow

BioClinica, Inc., (NASDAQ: BIOC), a global provider of clinical trial services, today announced that it has acquired the CardioNow unit of Agfa HealthCare.

From Clario 1 Sep 2009

Clinical Healthcare Enterprise Framework to help healthcare HR for effective talent management

Salary.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: SLRY), a leading provider of on-demand compensation, payroll and talent management solutions, announced today that it has added the Clinical Healthcare Enterprise Framework to its growing Job Model and Competency Library of more than 1,200 job models and 1,300 functional competencies, which provide data and structure for typical jobs at all levels of an organization. The framework will enable healthcare HR professionals to create job roles easily, deliver job models quickly, and power their talent management systems.

1 Sep 2009

Daxor's signed trial agreement with Pacific Cardiology to provide the BVA-100 instrument

Daxor Corporation, a medical instrumentation and biotechnology company, today announced the receipt of a signed trial agreement from Pacific Cardiology, LLC of Honolulu, Hawaii. This will provide Pacific Cardiology with a Blood Volume Analyzer-100 (BVA-100), an instrument which enables semi-automated measurement of a patient's total blood volume, red blood cell volume and plasma volume.

1 Sep 2009

AAO-HNSF to issue the first guideline for helping physicians manage dysphonia

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) will issue the first--and only--national clinical practice guideline to help healthcare practitioners identify and manage patients with hoarseness, also known as dysphonia. The guideline emphasizes evidence-based management of hoarseness by clinicians, and educates patients on the prevalence of this common vocal health issue.

1 Sep 2009

FDA provides 510(k) clearance for Neurologica's inSPira HD system

NeuroLogica Corporation announced today at the XIV World Congress of Neurological Surgery in Boston, MA, receipt of 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its portable high resolution SPECT system: inSPira HD (www.inspirahd.com).

1 Sep 2009