Reston, VA (February 6, 2026)—New research has been published ahead-of-print by The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM). JNM is published by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics—precision medicine that allows diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Summaries of the newly published research articles are provided below.
Scanning Synapses After Spinal Cord Injury
Researchers used advanced PET imaging with a synapse-targeting tracer to study how traumatic spinal cord injuries affect communication between nerve cells in rats. By carefully comparing mild, moderate, and severe injuries over time, the team tracked structural damage, measured synaptic protein loss, and validated brain scan findings with additional laboratory analyses.
Brain–Body Immune Cross-Talk Revealed with Whole-Body Imaging
Whole-body PET scans combined with advanced network analysis were used to map how the brain and body communicate during immune responses. In mice with infection or drug intervention, shifts in inflammation patterns were tracked over time, applying graph-based tools to explore complex, system-wide immune interactions across multiple organs simultaneously.
Pairing Alpha Radiation and Immunotherapy for Aggressive Lymphoma
Scientists tested a targeted alpha-radiation therapy paired with immune checkpoint drugs in mice with aggressive lymphoma. Using tumors with and without a common treatment target, they examined whether combining radiation and immunotherapy could better slow cancer growth, overcome resistance, and improve survival compared with single-treatment approaches alone in preclinical studies.
PET Imaging Predictors for Targeted Alpha Therapy in Prostate Cancer
Advanced prostate cancer patients receiving targeted alpha therapy directed at PSMA were assessed using pre-treatment PET scans to identify imaging markers that predict treatment response. By evaluating tumor uptake and overall disease burden, the study explored connections between scan measurements, PSA changes, early progression risk, and survival outcomes in a retrospective analysis.
Comparing Imaging Tools to Stage Prostate Cancer
Researchers compared several advanced imaging approaches—including PSMA PET/CT, GRPR PET/CT, and multiparametric MRI—to see how well they detect key features of intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer before surgery. By matching scan findings with pathology results, they assessed accuracy in staging disease and identifying patterns linked to recurrence risk.
Smarter PET/CT Alignment for Faster, Lower-Dose Whole-Body Imaging
A deep-learning method was tested to improve PET/CT scan alignment on next-generation long–axial-field-of-view systems. Using multiple tracers, shortened scan times, and ultra-low-dose CT, the approach was evaluated for its ability to maintain accurate image alignment and measurements, aiming to make whole-body imaging faster, more efficient, and lower in radiation exposure.
A New Theranostic Pair for Imaging and Treating Neuroendocrine Tumors
A matched imaging-and-therapy radiopharmaceutical for neuroendocrine tumors was evaluated using SPECT/CT scans and dosimetry modeling. In an early-phase clinical study, the team assessed tumor detection, determined the optimal timing for imaging, and estimated radiation doses to tumors and organs to guide personalized alpha-particle therapy planning.
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