title: Will molecular MR imaging play a role in identification and treatment of patients with vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques?
abstract: Although the translation of experimental molecular MR imaging agents is highly compelling, it is substantially more complex than the translation of radiolabeled imaging agents. The prognostic value, safety, and cost-effectiveness of molecular MR imaging for the detection of plaque inflammation will need to be demonstrated and will require a robust and collaborative effort among basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and industry. The well-conducted and valuable study reported by Amirbekian et al in this issue of Radiology adds further momentum to this important endeavor.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 13th St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. sosnovik@nmr.mgh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sosnovik
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000639:trends*; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques / Q000639:trends*