PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Molecular imaging detects signs of genetic heart disease before symptoms arise

Patients with a genetic mutation involved in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy already have weaker hearts before full onset of the disease

2011-06-07
(Press-News.org) San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—Research being presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting shows that molecular imaging is helping to determine the cause and expand treatment for a silent killer. A study focusing on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—a cardiovascular disorder that causes a thickening of the heart muscle—is proving that the effects of a genetic mutation may be an important key to understanding the disease. In related research, a treatment called alcohol septal ablation is being revealed as an effective treatment for severe cases of HCM.

"These studies show that molecular imaging has great potential for clinical use in the field of cardiology," says Stefan Timmer, MD, Free University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. "HCM is usually asymptomatic, and one of the first symptoms is acute death due to arrhythmia, which demonstrates how essential it is to detect this disease. We used molecular imaging to gauge the heart's efficiency in subjects with a pathogenic mutation linked to HCM. Unexpectedly, we found that carriers of the mutation already have a less efficient heart despite the absence of any symptoms. In addition, the research provides a suggestion why a frequently used therapy, alcohol septal ablation, is an effective treatment for symptomatic patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical treatment."

The abnormal thickening of the muscle, or myocardium, involved in HCM makes it harder for the heart to contract and relax, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. HCM is often asymptomatic and can cause sudden cardiac death at any age. The pathophysiology of HCM is not well understood. However, preclinical research points toward genetic mutations, such as MYBPC3, which are exclusive proteins in the heart's contractile tissue.

In one study, researchers imaged 16 subjects with the MYBPC3 mutation using positron emission tomography (PET) in order to image the heart's oxygen usage. This was coupled with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to gauge the heart's ability to use energy efficiently. To their surprise, patients carrying the MYBPC3 mutation were shown to have less efficient hearts even prior to the thickening and subsequent symptoms associated with HCM, which makes it a prime causal candidate for the development of the disease.

For HCM patients who remain symptomatic despite medication, alcohol septal ablation is a popular treatment. It is essentially a miniature, controlled heart attack triggered by an absolute alcohol solution administered to the septal artery that provides blood flow to the thickened heart muscle. Interventional cardiologists perform the non-invasive therapy using wires and balloons guided to the artery. There are few complications associated with the procedure, and it is the preferred treatment over open-heart surgery. In the study researching alcohol septal ablation for obstructive HCM, 15 patients received the procedure, and results were analyzed. Researchers concluded that obstructive HCM was at least in part reversible with alcohol septal ablation due to its ability to improve oxygen delivery to the heart and improve myocardial energetics, which is the heart's use of energy in relation to its ability to pump blood.

Further research could potentially lead to better screening for asymptomatic HCM carriers and the development of early treatments that could halt or at least postpone full onset of the disease.

INFORMATION:

Scientific Paper 2: S. Timmer, T. Germans, W. Brouwer, M. Lubberink, A. Lammertsma, P. Knaapen, A. van Rossum, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; "Impaired myocardial energetics precede coronary microvascular dysfunction and ventricular hypertrophy in carriers of the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy MYBPC3 mutation," SNM's 58th Annual Meeting, June 4-8, 2011, San Antonio, TX.

Scientific Paper 109: S. Timmer, P. Knaapen, T. Germans, P. Dijkmans, M. Lubberink, J. ten Berg, F. ten Cate, M. Götte, A. Lammertsma, A. van Rossum, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands; Thoraxcenter Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; "Effects of alcohol septal ablation on coronary microvascular function and myocardial energetics in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy," SNM's 58th Annual Meeting, June 4-8, 2011, San Antonio, TX.

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Fewer amputations in diabetic patients with dual isotope SPECT/CT

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—Research introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting reveals the extent to which an ongoing study can help save life and limb for patients with diabetes-related foot infections. Diabetes can cause nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the bones and tissues of the feet, leaving diabetics vulnerable to infection. This study shows that combining two imaging agents with molecular imaging techniques provides diabetic patients an excellent infection screening method that has already spared a number of patients from aggressive amputation of infected ...

Molecular imaging provides fast and effective diagnosis for patients with fever of unknown origin

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—Research presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting highlights molecular imaging's diagnostic potential for patients with fever of unknown origin. Persistent fever can be a warning sign for a range of diseases that could be dangerous if left untreated. A single, full-body molecular imaging scan may give physicians everything they need to narrow down the cause and determine appropriate treatment. "Molecular imaging is used widely throughout the world for oncology, as well as cardiology and neurology, but our research shows that it could be ...

Molecular imaging pinpoints source of chronic back pain

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—A study introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting shows potential relief for patients who suffer chronic pain after back surgery. A molecular imaging procedure that combines functional and anatomical information about the body is able to zero in on the site of abnormal bone reaction and provide more accurate diagnoses and appropriate pain management for patients who have received hardware implants or bone grafts. "With PET/CT we can pinpoint the exact screw or rod that was loose or failing. We can help doctors and patients accurately decide ...

Greater cancer detection is possible with 4-D PET image reconstruction

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—A study introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting is advancing a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging method that uses new 4D image reconstruction to achieve the highest diagnostic capability for the detection of cancer. Mounting evidence shows that PET imaging, which provides visual representations of bodily functions, is significantly more sensitive when used with cutting-edge 4D image reconstruction technology that accounts for patient respiration and produces clearer, more easily interpreted images. "PET imaging with 4D image ...

Hybrid PET and MRI imaging on the horizon

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—Preliminary research presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting is breaking new ground for the development of a brand new hybrid molecular imaging system. Simultaneous positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is providing important diagnostic information about soft tissues and physiological functions throughout the body. Scans focused on screening suspicious lesions for cancer are already comparable to more conventional molecular imaging methods. Further research could lead to the clinical use of PET/MRI as an ...

Irregular breathing can affect accuracy of 4-D PET/CT

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—A study presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting focuses on the effect that breathing irregularities have on the accuracy of 4D positron emission tomography (PET) scans and outlines a PET imaging method that reduces "motion artifacts" or image blurring arising from respiratory motion. Non-gated PET imaging with 4D computed tomography may be useful for imaging patients who do not benefit from the use of respiratory gating, most notably patients with erratic breathing. "Breathing irregularities can lead to significantly underestimated lesion ...

Novel imaging agent targets breast tumor development

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—Scientists presented new research at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting that has the potential to help physicians detect breast cancer by imaging the proliferation of blood vessels carrying oxygen and nutrients to breast tumors. Their study is evaluating a new imaging agent that is naturally drawn to angiogenesis—the development of new blood vessels in tissues both normal and cancerous. This process turns malignant during the growth stage of many cancerous tumors including those in breast tissue. "The positive outcomes of this study are encouraging ...

New molecular imaging agent targets cornerstone of cancerous tumors

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—A study introduced at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting may lead to the next wave of cancer imaging by helping to develop a molecular imaging agent that detects many malignant cancers' incessant development of blood vessels—a process called angiogenesis. A protein biomarker known as CD105 has been shown to indicate tumor angiogenesis in cancer patients. "Non-invasive molecular imaging is a critical component of 21st century personalized medicine, and one of the hallmarks of cancer is angiogenesis," says Weibo Cai, PhD, assistant professor of ...

Molecular imaging shows chronic marijuana smoking affects brain chemistry

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—Definitive proof of an adverse effect of chronic marijuana use revealed at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting could lead to potential drug treatments and aid other research involved in cannabinoid receptors, a neurotransmission system receiving a lot of attention. Scientists used molecular imaging to visualize changes in the brains of heavy marijuana smokers versus non-smokers and found that abuse of the drug led to a decreased number of cannabinoid CB1 receptors, which are involved in not just pleasure, appetite and pain tolerance but a host of ...

Molecular imaging for Alzheimer's disease may be available in hospitals within 1 year

2011-06-07
San Antonio, Texas (June 6, 2011)—Researchers the world over are advancing positron emission tomography (PET) as an effective method of early detection for Alzheimer's disease, a currently incurable and deadly neurological disorder. Three studies presented at SNM's 58th Annual Meeting are providing new insights into the development of Alzheimer's disease while opening the door to future clinical screening and treatments. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 18 million people worldwide are currently living with Alzheimer's disease—a number projected ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Plant doctor: An AI system that watches over urban trees without touching a leaf

Study tracks chromium chemistry in irradiated molten salts

Scientists: the beautiful game is a silver bullet for global health

Being physically active, even just a couple of days a week, may be key to better health

High-fat diet promote breast cancer metastasis in animal models

A router for photons

Nurses and AI collaborate to save lives, reduce hospital stays

Multi-resistance in bacteria predicted by AI model

Tinker Tots: A citizen science project to explore ethical dilemmas in embryo selection

Sensing sickness

Cost to build multifamily housing in California more than twice as high as in Texas

Program takes aim at drinking, unsafe sex, and sexual assault on college campuses

Inability to pay for healthcare reaches record high in U.S.

Science ‘storytelling’ urgently needed amid climate and biodiversity crisis

KAIST Develops Retinal Therapy to Restore Lost Vision​

Adipocyte-hepatocyte signaling mechanism uncovered in endoplasmic reticulum stress response

Mammals were adapting from life in the trees to living on the ground before dinosaur-killing asteroid

Low LDL cholesterol levels linked to reduced risk of dementia

Thickening of the eye’s retina associated with greater risk and severity of postoperative delirium in older patients

Almost one in ten people surveyed report having been harmed by the NHS in the last three years

Enhancing light control with complex frequency excitations

New research finds novel drug target for acute myeloid leukemia, bringing hope for cancer patients

New insight into factors associated with a common disease among dogs and humans

Illuminating single atoms for sustainable propylene production

New study finds Rocky Mountain snow contamination

Study examines lactation in critically ill patients

UVA Engineering Dean Jennifer West earns AIMBE’s 2025 Pierre Galletti Award

Doubling down on metasurfaces

New Cedars-Sinai study shows how specialized diet can improve gut disorders

Making moves and hitting the breaks: Owl journeys surprise researchers in western Montana

[Press-News.org] Molecular imaging detects signs of genetic heart disease before symptoms arise
Patients with a genetic mutation involved in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy already have weaker hearts before full onset of the disease