A first-in-class PET imaging approach can accurately detect a biomarker for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a devastating neurodegenerative disease associated with repeated head impact. Rather than waiting until after death for definitive diagnosis, this imaging biomarker has the potential to diagnose patients while they are still alive and could play a critical role in supporting clinical trials to develop CTE treatments. This research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2026 Annual Meeting.

A new SPECT/CT imaging approach can accurately differentiate inflammation from fibrosis in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients, according to new research presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2026 Annual Meeting. This molecular imaging technique has the potential to determine which patients would benefit from anti-inflammatory treatments and which would likely only experience harmful side effects.

A new type of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) appears to be safe in metastatic neuroendocrine tumor patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options. This novel approach, presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2026 Annual Meeting, resulted in partial remission of the disease in the majority of patients with advanced cases of neuroendocrine tumors.

TikTok content normalises illegal vaping among young people – according to research from the University of East Anglia (UEA). 

A new study shows that young people are far more likely to encounter illicit vaping content portrayed as normal, humorous and harmless on TikTok. 

Meanwhile evidence-based health advice on official health and education websites may fail to cut through the digital noise. 

That gap may be putting young audiences at risk, just weeks after The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 received royal assent, the team say. 

A novel PET imaging approach enables simultaneous visualization of tumor progression and cardiac inflammatory responses during cancer treatment. Using this strategy, researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of a new combination therapy that enhances tumor response while reducing cardiac inflammation. This new paradigm, presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2026 Annual Meeting, offers a more comprehensive assessment of therapeutic impact, supporting more personalized clinical decision‑making.

Compared to conventional imaging techniques, prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET imaging provides superior detection of bone metastases in prostate cancer patients a critical indicator of a patient's long-term survival. Outcomes data revealed that patients with even just one bone metastasis experience faster disease progression and worse overall survival. This research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2026 Annual Meeting.

Shannon Youngblood, EdD, MSRS, CNMT, RT(CT)(ARRT), has been elected president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS). The new slate of officers was introduced during the SNMMI's 2026 Annual Meeting, held May 30 - June 2 in Los Angeles.

Sara L. Johnson, EdD, MAEd, BS, CNMT, NMTCB(RS), RT(N)(CT)(ARRT), FSNMMI-TS, has been named president-elect of the SNMMI Technologist Section (SNMMI-TS). Johnson is a PET/CT technologist at Florida Cancer Specialists in Brandon, Florida, and a didactic instructor at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. SNMMI introduced its 2026-27 officers at its 2026 Annual Meeting, held May 30 - June 2 in Los Angeles.

A specific pattern of brain metabolism visualized with PET imaging can predict which patients are most likely to benefit from Alzheimer's disease therapy. In a retrospective study of patients who received Alzheimer's treatments, those with the identified pattern experienced stabilized cognitive performance, while patients with other patterns had significant cognitive decline. This study was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2026 Annual Meeting, where it received top recognition as the Abstract of the Year.