Quantum BioPharma Announces Very Promising Results from the Massachusetts General Hospital Scientists on the Novel Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Tracer Used to Detect and Monitor Demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
TORONTO, Aug. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum BioPharma Ltd. (NASDAQ: QNTM) (CSE: QNTM) (FRA: 0K91) ('Quantum BioPharma' or the 'Company'), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative assets and biotech solutions, announces that the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracer used in a joint study with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) scientists shows the ability to capture differences across lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, which may prove highly useful for monitoring myelin integrity and demyelination in MS.
A leading study by Drs. Pedro Brugarolas and Eric Klawiter of MGH, published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging on August 5, 2025 (link to paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00259-025-07454-1), and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), evaluated the PET tracer [18F]3F4AP in healthy controls and in people with MS. This tracer was developed by Dr. Pedro Brugarolas, an investigator in the Department of Radiology at MGH and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School.
In this study, [18F]3F4AP was found to have excellent properties for imaging the human brain and, critically and importantly, was able to detect differences across lesions not visible by conventional MRI. These findings suggest that the tracer holds significant promise and potential as a key biomarker to monitor changes in demyelination in MS, and, importantly, myelin changes in response to Quantum Biopharma's investigational and potentially breakthrough neuroprotective drug, Lucid-21-302.
'The published study shows that the PET tracer is highly promising as a biomarker to detect and monitor lesions in people with MS,' said Dr. Andrzej Chruscinski, Vice-President, Scientific and Clinical Affairs at Quantum Biopharma. 'The ongoing collaborative study with MGH seeks to further evaluate the imaging agent and its potential to demonstrate the effectiveness of drugs, such as Lucid-21-302 (Lucid-MS) that can protect the myelin sheath in MS.'
About Quantum BioPharma Ltd.
Quantum BioPharma (NASDAQ: QNTM) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative assets and biotech solutions for the treatment of challenging neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders and alcohol misuse disorders with drug candidates in different stages of development. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc. ('Lucid'), Quantum BioPharma is focused on the research and development of its lead compound, Lucid-MS. Lucid-MS is a patented new chemical entity shown to prevent and reverse myelin degradation, the underlying mechanism of multiple sclerosis, in preclinical models. Quantum BioPharma invented unbuzzd™ and spun out its OTC version to a company, Celly Nutrition Corp. ('Celly Nutrition'), now Unbuzzd Wellness Inc., led by industry veterans. Quantum BioPharma retains ownership of 20.10% (as of June 30, 2025) of Unbuzzd Wellness Inc. at www.unbuzzd.com. The agreement with Unbuzzd Wellness Inc. also includes royalty payments of 7% of sales from unbuzzd™ until payments to Quantum BioPharma total $250 million. Once $250 million is reached, the royalty drops to 3% in perpetuity. Quantum BioPharma retains 100% of the rights to develop similar products or alternative formulations specifically for pharmaceutical and medical uses. Quantum BioPharma maintains a portfolio of strategic investments through its wholly owned subsidiary, FSD Strategic Investments Inc., which represents loans secured by residential or commercial property. For more information visit www.quantumbiopharma.com.
Forward Looking Information
These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to additional information relating to Quantum BioPharma, including its annual information form, can be located on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and on the EDGAR section of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward- looking information, except as required by applicable law.
Contacts:
Quantum BioPharma Ltd. Zeeshan Saeed, Founder, CEO and Executive Co-Chairman of the Board Email: Zsaeed@quantumbiopharma.comTelephone: (833) 571-1811
Investor RelationsInvestor Relations: IR@QuantumBioPharma.comGeneral Inquiries: info@QuantumBioPharma.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
12 Bath Products For Babies and Toddlers
Splish splash, it's time for baby's bath. Rubber duckies, bubble bath soap, and cozy towels are all classic baby bath time staples. Now, in addition to those childhood favorites, there are more products on the market than ever before for parents to choose from. Between shampoo and wash, toys and aftercare, the drugstore aisle can get a little overwhelming. Don't fret. Instead, here are some suggestions for suds (and other helpful stuff) that make for a more blissful bath time. Bath Support Assuming your bathtub is too big for a little baby (which is more than likely), here's a tool to help them lay comfortably in the tub and free your hands for soaping, shampooing and rinsing. Wash Time to get fresh and clean, without worrying about skin sensitivities. Shampoo & Wash Save time (and space) with these 2-in-1 bath products. Bath Toys Add some entertainment to bath time with toys. Who said getting clean isn't fun? Hair Brush Even babies have flyaways and messy hair. Thankfully, there are tools to gently fix baby's bedhead. Booger Help Stuffed noses happen, but nasal assistance is on the way! Baby Oil Although baby oil can be used to moisturize on it's own, it can also be added to bath time. Lotion Dermatologist-tested lotion for the whole body (and the whole family) is a win. Apply after bathing and as needed. Towels When the bath ends, it's time to dry off with absorbent towels that are soft to the touch. Toothbrush It's never too early to start a good oral hygiene routine.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Transcript: Former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Aug. 10, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Dr. Jerome Adams, the former U.S. surgeon general during President Trump's first term, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Aug. 10, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who served in the first Trump administration. Welcome back to Face The Nation. FORMER U.S. SURGEON GENERAL DR. JEROME ADAMS: Thank you, Margaret. MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about this tragic shooting Friday in Atlanta. I understand there were at least four CDC buildings that were shot at, and our colleagues are reporting investigators are looking at the motives, including that the suspect believed he was sick as a result of the COVID vaccine. What do you make of the incident itself, as well as the broader impact on the health workers there on the grounds of the CDC? DR. ADAMS: Yes. Well, first off, on behalf of the American people, I want to say thank you to the dedicated professionals at the CDC and to all public health and medical workers across this country. And I also want to honor Officer David Rose who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting those families and people who've worked at the CDC. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends and his colleagues. And finally, I want to be clear, because our secretary of HHS has not been. Violence is never the answer, no matter your level of frustration or anger with the system. We have to find better, more peaceful ways to express our concerns and work towards solutions. Now, Margaret, quickly you asked about the secretary and how you respond to a crisis defines a leader, and quite frankly, Secretary Kennedy has failed in his first major test in this regard. It took him over 18 hours to issue a tepid response to these horrific shootings, and that's not even considering how his inflammatory rhetoric in the past have actually contributed to a lot of what's been going on. MARGARET BRENNAN: Those are some strong words. I mean, the secretary did issue a statement saying no one should face violence while working to protect the health of others. You think he needs to more directly condemn this shooter and his alleged motivations? I mean, there has been, to be fair, a lot of angry rhetoric against health officials for years now. Why do you think the secretary himself needs to address it? DR. ADAMS: Well, the secretary, before he was considering running for president or secretary, was involved in an outbreak in American Samoa where 83 people died, over 70 of them children, in response to a measles outbreak, which local officials on the ground there said he helped inflame. As president, he said, I will drain the cesspool at the CDC and hold people responsible, when he was running for president, he made this statement just last year. Unfortunately, someone beat him to trying to hold people responsible. And again, as secretary of HHS, it took him 18 hours to respond to this shooting, and he still has not unequivocally condemned the violence. He said no one should be harmed while working to protect the public. There's an out there, Margaret. If you don't believe that people are working to protect the public, then that means it's okay to commit violence, at least in some people's eyes. Dr. Vinay Prasad, who [audio gap] the lieutenant HHS Secretary Kennedy, said, I don't believe in forgiveness because in my opinion these pieces of, and he said, human excrement are still lying. So I'm upset. I'm upset because people at the CDC were calling me while this was going on, asking for cover that they couldn't get from their secretary. MARGARET BRENNAN: What were they asking you to do? DR. ADAMS: They were asking me to make a public statement because they felt under attack. They didn't know if this was going to continue. They were scared, and they wanted someone, someone who they felt had had a public voice to go out there and say this is wrong. Violence is wrong. This is not the answer. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, absolutely, I think all of us want to be careful in the language we use and precise, certainly on this program. And I think what you were referring to are some of what Secretary Kennedy said when he was a presidential candidate. But even in office, the FDA commissioner on this program said he wrote an article "why the people don't trust the CDC." The Secretary himself has said in the past, the CDC is a cesspool of corruption. You, to be clear, want the leaders of our health institutions to come out and say they have confidence in the CDC now? DR. ADAMS: Exactly. I wrote a recent op-ed that is in STAT News where I talked about this. As leaders, we have to be responsible with what we're saying and how we're saying it. We have to understand people are listening. And when you call the CDC a cesspool, when you say I will hold people responsible, when you make claims that have been proven false time and time again about safety and efficacy of vaccines, that can cause unintended consequences. And so while I don't know Secretary Kennedy personally, and I don't want to make, make assertions about his character, I will say based on his actions and his rhetoric he is, he's adding, he's fanning the flames that lead to situations like we saw at the CDC. MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about health policy, because days earlier, Secretary Kennedy made an announcement that the U.S. is halting $500 million for vaccine research into that technology known as mRNA. You're very familiar with it because it was used during Operation Warp Speed to very quickly get that COVID vaccine. Secretary Kennedy said, though, mRNA vaccines quote, "don't work against upper respiratory infections." Do you know what he means? And what does stopping this research do for pandemic preparations? DR. ADAMS: Well, that- that's simply not true. We know that- that by the most conservative estimates, over 2 million lives have been saved because of mRNA technology. It helped us develop COVID-19 vaccines in record time. And it's, quite frankly, President Trump's greatest achievement. It's fascinating to me that in this conversation about whether he should receive the Nobel Prize for something, the thing that he should be considered for the Nobel Prize for, his health secretary is trying to undermine. For folks who may not be familiar, though, Margaret, mRNA stands for messenger mRNA, it's a natural molecule that's in all of our bodies. It's like a recipe card that tells your body how to make a protein. And this idea, again, helps us develop vaccines and new treatments for everything from cancer, melanoma, which my wife has, to HIV, to better flu vaccines, and Zika. The- these are advances that are not going to happen now. People are going to die because we're cutting short funding for this technology. MARGARET BRENNAN: It's interesting you talk about President Trump's great achievement there, because he was asked by my colleague, Nancy Cordes, about Operation Warp Speed, and this is what he said this week. Take a listen. [BEGIN SOUND ON TAPE] DONALD TRUMP: Operation Warp Speed was, whether you're Republican or Democrat, considered one of the most incredible things ever done in this country. The efficiency, the- the way it was done, the distribution, everything about it was- has been amazing. [END SOUND ON TAPE] MARGARET BRENNAN: What would have happened in 2020 if we didn't have mRNA vaccines? DR. ADAMS: If we did not have mRNA vaccines, the best experts at the time, Bill Gates, Tony Fauci, were saying it would have taken at least 18 to 24 additional months to get a vaccine. The record before that, Margaret, was six years to get a vaccine using the technology that Secretary Kennedy said he wants to go back to, whole virus technology. And so, as I mentioned, by the most conservative estimates, at least 2 million lives were saved. Many people say that up to 20 million lives were saved because of the vaccines. It is President Trump's greatest achievement, bar none. MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Bill Cassidy, who I think you know, Republican, a doctor, he voted for Secretary Kennedy's confirmation, said it's "unfortunate the Secretary just canceled a half a billion dollars worth of work, wasting the money which is already invested," in other words, not getting it back. And he said it's "conceding to China this important technology." Here's the thing, Secretary Kennedy did say, mN- mN- excuse me, Secretary Kennedy did say this technology is helpful against cancers. Can you have it both ways? Can you stop the investment but then still take the parts of it and sort of preserve that? DR. ADAMS: Well, that's a great question, and it's absolutely the case that you cannot denigrate mRNA technology. Even if you do develop a new technology for other areas, people aren't going to trust it. There aren't- they aren't going to take it. And the way research works is that a lot of what we've learned about mRNA technology, and developing the COVID vaccines, has led to the excitement, the innovation, the advancements, which now present opportunities for cancer. So it risks stalling process- progress in many of the most promising areas of modern medicine. MARGARET BRENNAN: Dr. Adams, thank you for your time this morning. DR. ADAMS: Thank you so much. I appreciate it. And if you have questions about vaccines, talk to your doctor, because unfortunately, our current secretary is not spreading information that is knowledgeable, that's appropriate, and that is- not fanning the flames that cause situations like happen- happened at the CDC. MARGARET BRENNAN: Dr. Adams, I appreciate your time. We'll be back in a moment.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
I Got a $4,500 Full-Body MRI to Catch Hidden Health Risks—Here's What It Found
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." I've always believed in being proactive about my health, but like most people, I usually only see a doctor when something feels wrong or if I'm overdue for an annual exam. That changed when I learned about the Prenuvo scan—a whole-body MRI designed to detect serious conditions like cancer, aneurysms, and degenerative diseases before symptoms appear. The idea of a non-invasive, radiation-free scan that could potentially catch issues early intrigued me. Still, I was skeptical. It's not a medically necessary procedure, is quite pricey (more on this later), and not widely available. Would it be just another wellness trend wrapped in high-tech marketing, or could it actually be the latest health breakthrough—or better yet, a life-saving health screening? Prenuvo has gained a lot of attention lately, especially after celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner publicly endorsed it, calling it a 'life-saving machine.' Though I don't have an endless health budget of a Hollywood elite, I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary Enhanced Screening. I'm 27 years old, generally healthy, and have no major concerns aside from some chronic neck pain and degenerative disc disease, of which I've already had imaging and treatment. Still, with a family history of cancer and a growing awareness that symptoms don't always show up until it's too late (I've worked at Prevention for years), the opportunity to really see what's going on inside my body excited me. Meet the experts: Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group; Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs; and Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging The entire process, from booking the appointment to the scan itself to my post-scan consultation, was overall a positive experience. In this Prenuvo review, I'll walk through what the appointment was like, the cost, what my screening found, what medical experts think of a (non-medically-necessary) whole-body MRI, and ultimately, whether I think it was worth it. What is a whole-body MRI scan? An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging technique that 'uses protons, magnets, and radio frequency pulses' to create a detailed picture of the inside of the body, says Mia Kazanjian, M.D., board-certified radiologist specializing in breast and body imaging. 'It has no radiation, unlike CT scans and X-rays.' MRI is typically used on individual parts of the body, like the pelvis or the head, on an as-needed basis. Whole-body MRI, on the other hand, does exactly what it sounds like: It uses the same magnetic resonance imaging technology to take a picture of the whole body, which, at Prenuvo, takes about an hour. 'Typically, imaging is done in a very focused manner based on a specific question that another physician is asking,' says Daniel Durand, M.D., M.B.A., chief medical officer and president of Prenuvo Medical Group. 'What Prenuvo does is digitize the entire body. You can think of Prenuvo as a tech-enabled, direct-to-specialist care model. We're digitizing the human body with the most powerful tool, which is MRI, and then we're having a radiologist do a head-to-toe, on the inside, examination of the patient.' An important note about the limitations of whole-body MRI: 'Preunvo exists to layer on top of existing screenings. This is in addition to, not a replacement of, and we have always said that,' Dr. Durand explains. 'The idea is that if you have a primary care doctor and you're doing your routine screenings, Prenuvo supercharges all that. Our belief is that whole body MRI, plus existing screenings, offers a level of diagnostic accuracy and reassurance that goes beyond anything that came before.' Ken Berry, M.D., family physician and co-author of Common Sense Labs, agrees that right now, whole-body MRI doesn't replace guideline-based screening (like colonoscopies or mammograms). 'It's a supplemental tool, not a substitute,' he says. 'Whole-body MRI can detect early cancers, aneurysms, and neurological issues, but it's not always better than traditional screening.' Dr. Berry says if you have a strong family history of cancer, a genetic risk, or a history of serious illness, it may be worth considering, but he's cautious about recommending it for the average healthy adult. My experience I underwent the Enhanced Screening, the most thorough evaluation Prenuvo offers. This included a whole-body MRI, which covered the brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, and major vasculature, free from radiation or contrast; a body composition analysis and advanced brain health assessment (taken during the MRI); and a comprehensive bloodwork panel. The actual experience of getting the MRI was fairly painless. Before the procedure, I was sent a fairly lengthy survey of my medical history to determine whether it was safe for me to undergo the scan and ascertain any health concerns I may have. I also took Prenuvo up on the offer to take a light sedative before heading in to ease any anxiety or claustrophobia to make the experience more comfortable. Then, I arrived at the Manhattan location ready to sit still in an MRI machine for just about an hour. Surprisingly, that hour went by pretty quickly. They gave me the option to choose a show or movie to watch on Netflix during the scan (I decided on Ginny and Georgia), which helped move things along mentally. Before I knew it, I was heading home, where a nurse from a concierge service employed by Prenuvo later drew my blood for the bloodwork portion. About two weeks after my scan, Prenuvo reached out to schedule my post-scan consultation with Vikash Modi, M.D., senior medical director of preventative medicine at Prenuvo. My virtual consultation with Dr. Modi lasted about 45 minutes, and he walked me through my scan, all of my bloodwork, my body composition analysis, and brain health assessment. He also answered any questions I had and gave me a few suggestions regarding my health moving forward. The results About a week prior to officially receiving my results, I got a call from Dr. Modi to discuss one potentially urgent finding from my bloodwork. My blood panel showed that I had a glucose level of 38, which can be very dangerous. We discussed that this was likely due to fasting all day before the bloodwork (which I had scheduled for 3:00 p.m.), as my A1c (a blood test that measures the average blood glucose from the last two-to-three months) was normal. But I was advised to repeat bloodwork with my primary care physician as a precaution. Dr. Modi then reassured me that there were no other major findings on my scan or my bloodwork, but that we would discuss it further at my official consultation. Fast forward to that appointment: Dr. Modi thoroughly went over my results, starting with my bloodwork, then my scan, the brain health assessment, and finally body composition analysis. Thankfully, my bloodwork showed I'm in good health, which was reassuring since the blood panel was very comprehensive. However, as Dr. Berry explains, 'comprehensive' doesn't always mean 'useful.' While it did give me a lot of peace of mind, Dr. Berry says that 'although most doctors don't order enough bloodwork, as I discuss in Common Sense Labs, it is also true that ordering too much labwork creates a new set of problems,' including confusion and the potential for reacting when it may not be medically needed. My scan, however, did show one moderate finding, four minor findings, and one informational finding. In addition to my virtual consultation with Dr. Modi, I was able to visit the Prenuvo online dashboard, which features an interactive and informative report. FLAIR hyperintense lesion, right frontal lobe. This sounds scary, but it was actually one of my 'minor findings.' On the Prenuvo app, it was labeled a 'small vessel ischemia,' which is a term describing the changes that occur by disrupting the small blood vessels in the brain, and is often a sign of poor cardiovascular health. However, Dr. Modi reassured me that the online interface is always being updated, and that the patient-facing side doesn't always align perfectly with the clinical interpretation. In my case, it may have been caused by head injuries I sustained during my time as a cheerleader. I had no signs of white matter disease, aneurysm, growths, or masses, and overall, my brain volume was very healthy. Scoliosis. I knew about this 'minor finding' previously from a recent X-ray. I have 'mild' scoliosis in my lumbar spine. Spondyloarthropathy of the cervical and thoracic spine. These are two 'minor findings' I was also aware of from previous imaging. Spondyloarthropathy is the medical term for degenerative arthritis. I have long struggled with neck and upper back pain, and have been undergoing treatment (mainly physical therapy) for a few months now. Discussing these findings with Dr. Modi reassured me that I'm doing everything right in my current treatment plan. Hemorrhagic ovarian cysts. This was my only 'moderate finding;' one that I was not previously aware of. While I'm not experiencing any symptoms due to these benign, fluid-filled ovarian cysts, I'm glad I know about them now in case they ever do rupture or cause any complications. While Dr. Modi didn't officially diagnose me, he suggested these may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) due to my semi-irregular menstrual cycle, history of acne, and recent struggle to lose weight. He suggested some supplements I might consider taking and made me aware of the typical treatment and medications doctors usually prescribe, should I ever seek that. Dense breast tissue. The scan also revealed that I have dense breast tissue, which means I have more glandular tissue (as opposed to fat tissue) in my breasts, which may make it more difficult to screen for breast cancer with a typical mammogram. I was already aware of this, as I have a history of breast cysts, which is why I get regular ultrasounds. I was a little surprised the Prenuvo MRI did not pick these up, but Dr. Modi explained that the threshold for breast cysts at Prenuvo is around five millimeters. So, anything smaller than that (which my cysts likely are) would not be picked up by the MRI. 'It's a see-a-lot test, not a see-everything test,' Dr. Modi said. Following my bloodwork and MRI scan, Dr. Modi went over my brain health assessment, which measured the volume of every structure within the brain. Thankfully, all of those structures in my brain fell into normal ranges. Finally, we discussed my body composition analysis, which showed data for total muscle mass, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat. This test is very useful, says Dr. Berry. 'Knowing visceral fat and muscle mass is much better than just looking at Body Mass Index (BMI),' he explains. (Note: Prevention no longer uses BMI as a measurement of health.) Again, thankfully, Dr. Modi ensured that for the most part, my analysis falls into 'normal' ranges for my age and sex, except that I actually have a bit more muscle mass than average, which is a good thing. This test was really interesting to look at because it included a very detailed analysis of hip and lower body muscle volume, as well as a symmetry analysis. None of this was major, but it did confirm a few things I suspected about the way my body works and moves. Are whole-body MRIs the future of preventative healthcare? It's difficult to say. 'The essence of what Prenuvo does, and I think it's poorly understood, is that we don't by ourselves prevent anything. But, we can absolutely help a patient choose their own destiny and pursue the right preventative strategies, because we can show them what's going on in them, as opposed to just general advice,' Dr. Durand explains. However, as Dr. Durand and the Prenuvo website state, there are limitations. I asked Dr. Berry, an unaffiliated family physician, whether whole-body MRIs can meaningfully replace or reduce the need for standard individualized screenings based on modern-day recommendations. He said, not right now. It doesn't replace guideline-based screening. 'It can't do what a colonoscopy or mammogram does, and it doesn't offer the same level of detail. It's a supplemental tool, not a substitute,' Dr. Berry explained. 'If it could fully replace traditional tests, I'd be on board, but the evidence just isn't there yet.' Dr. Kazanjian adds that whole-body MRI 'tends to be more effective at detecting lesions in the kidneys, pancreas, lymph nodes, and bones, among some others,' but that the screening's ability to characterize them as benign or malignant may be limited. She adds that whole-body MRI does not effectively screen for some of the most common cancers, including skin cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer. And while there will certainly be 'findings of import on these exams,' including brain aneurysms, evidence of autoimmune diseases, metabolic syndromes, and small cancers, among others, Dr. Kazanjian explains, it's impossible to say whether whole-body MRI truly leads to improved health outcomes or whether those results would be uncovered via traditional screening methods. There's also the aspect of incidental or benign findings, which are clinically insignificant (meaning they cause no harm), but create a type of 'scanxiety,' or anxiety felt by patients pre- and post-scan, Dr. Kazanjian says. The cost and impact My Enhanced Screening at the Manhattan location has a cost of $4,500, but it varies based on the exact scan you choose, and sometimes, the location. There are less costly options, like the regular whole-body MRI ($2,500) or the torso-only MRI ($999). Prenuvo also offers its Warriors Program, which offers discounted services to first responders, military members, and veterans. While some doctors, like Dr. Kazanjian, do recommend whole-body MRI for high-risk individuals (like those with a strong family history of cancer and/or genetic mutations) and for patients with cancers such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma, it is generally not recommended for the general population, she explains. 'I do not think this is cost-effective for the population, particularly given the large percentage of false positives with the necessity for costly follow-ups,' says Dr. Kazanjian. 'I say this even if the initial service were cost-free.' Dr. Durand also acknowledges that not everybody can afford the Prenuvo model of healthcare today. That's why he says Prenuvo is working every day to harness the powers of artificial intelligence to become more efficient, which will allow them to bring prices down long-term. In terms of side effects, MRI, including whole-body MRI, is mostly safe. The 'scanxiety' and inconsequential benign findings that Dr. Kazanjian points out are the main downsides. As with any MRI, it's important to tell your doctor and radiologist if you have any metal or electrical implants in your body (such as pacemakers and infusion pumps), as the magnetic field generated by the MRI machine can pose a hazard to patients in these cases. The detailed questionnaire sent over by the Prenuvo team before your appointment covers these in length, and your radiologist will also inquire about any metal in or on your body before your scan. The bottom line 'These scans have potential and may help in the future, but right now they're best for people with high risk or specific concerns or a lot of disposable income,' Dr. Berry explains. 'For the average person, they often create more questions than answers. Too much testing can lead to fear, cost, and harm, especially when there's no clear benefit. Prevention and early detection are very important, but it has to be reasonable and relevant, not just expensive.' Reflecting on my experience with the whole-body MRI at Prenuvo, I feel fortunate to have had access to such advanced technology. The scan provided valuable insights into my body's health that I wouldn't have otherwise had. However, while I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to those who have the resources and are curious about their health, I do believe it's important to approach it with a balanced perspective. From a cost-benefit standpoint, it's not yet a universally essential tool in healthcare, and its value largely depends on individual circumstances and priorities. 'The best advice I can give to the people reading this is the advice I live by and the advice I give my patients. This is the same advice I give my mother—and I love my mother. It's to live a healthy life—keep a healthy weight, eat whole grains and vegetables and lean protein, exercise regularly, sleep seven hours a night, avoid tobacco and alcohol, and get annual checkups, recommended screenings, and vaccines with your doctor,' Dr. Kazanjian says. 'Prevention is the best medicine.' You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
