Hybrid Molecular Imaging in the Diagnosis of Heart Disease

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Brief background of issue: Our group has discovered a molecule, called GHS-R, that may be a marker of heart disease. We would like to develop a technology to detect GHS-R in a non-invasive manner that will help cardiologists in properly diagnosing heart disease in its early stages. The technology is a combination, or hybrid, of two diagnostic imaging methods: positron emission tomography (PET), which will detect GHS-R, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which detects changes in the function of the heart. Combining these two imaging methods will result in a very powerful technology that can measure both molecular and physiological changes in the heart at the same time. Objective of the research proposal: We will develop PET-MRI hybrid imaging to detect changes in GHS-R by PET and heart function by MRI at the same time. This will enable cardiologists to detect very early stages of heart failure. Brief description of research project: We will first test the PET imaging of GHS-R in a mouse model of heart disease. Then we will test the PET-MRI technique in a large animal model of heart disease, because this is the next step to using the technique in humans. Finally, we will work with cardiologist to use the PET-MRI method to detect both GHS-R and heart function in patients with heart disease. How our research will improve the health of Canadians: There is a large segment of the population that has congestive heart failure. These patients represent a high percentage of admitted patients to most acute care hospitals, often requiring several admissions. The ability to detect heart disease at an early point in time, and to gain insight into disease mechanisms that may promote new interventions to limit disease progression hold great promise for the application of the proposed research.