User:Pebbles1.0/Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging
Molecular imaging is the umbrella term which covers many clinical and preclinical imaging techniques focused on understanding molecular and cellular changes in the body, by taking images non-invasively of living organs and tissues, at varying resolution. The goal of developing these methods is to see more than just structure within the body, providing information on disease and response to treatment. Molecular imaging can provide information on molecular processes which change in response to treatment faster than we would otherwise see structural changes (such as reduction in tumor size). As with other imaging types, these modalities provide information on tissues that are otherwise inaccessible such as brain tissue, where biopsies are difficult to obtain.

Overview
There are many different types of molecular imaging available to doctors for diagnosing and following treatment of patients. Each imaging type has its strengths and weaknesses, and as such this is an active area of ongoing research, as demonstrated by researchers at conferences such as the annual World Molecular Imaging Congress (WMIC).

Imaging modalities (brief overview of method, benefits/risks, and distinction between clinical and preclinical):

MRI - 1H/ 13C (HP)/ 31P, contrast agents, CEST

PET/PET-CT

SPECT

Optical imaging

Molecular ultrasound

Journals and conferences?