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In 1981, the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital – TheÌýNeuro,ÌýbecameÌýthe first medical institution in Canada to be equipped with its own isotopeÌýproduction facility: THE CYCLOTRON. The move to include such a facilityÌýwithin its walls was somewhat revolutionary at the time. By producing itsÌýown radioactive tracers used for Positron Emission Tomography (PET)Ìýimaging, The Neuro enabled researchers to uncover the mysteries of how theÌýbrain works and clinicians to increase the speed and accuracy of patients’Ìýdiagnosis and treatments.

Today, medical cyclotrons are found in cities across the country and isotopesÌýare used around the world for research, and cancer diagnosis and treatment.The cyclotron operates under guidelinesÌýset out by the Canadian Nuclear SafetyÌýCommission (CNSC) and as per CNSCÌýregulations we are informing the public thatÌýThe Neuro is equipped with a cyclotronÌýfacility.

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What is a Cyclotron?

A cyclotron is a particle accelerator used to produce medical isotopesÌýneeded for PET scans. It uses a combination of high-powered magnets andÌýalternating voltage to convert stable atoms into radioactive isotopes. ThisÌýprocess involves spinning charged particles in ever-expanding circles untilÌýthey strike a target. The cyclotron’s magnets pull the charged particles in aÌýcircular motion, while the alternating current charges particles with energyÌýeach time they cross a threshold down the middle of the circular path. WhenÌýthe particle beam interacts with the stable atom in the target, a nuclearÌýreaction occurs creating radioactive isotopes.

What are isotopes used for?

Tiny doses of radioactive isotopes are injected into patients or researchÌýstudy subjects who undergo Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans.ÌýThe isotopes act as tracers that the scanner detects in the body. For clinicalÌýuse, the scanner can diagnose or detect cancerous growths, brain diseasesÌýsuch as Alzheimer’s disease and coronary heart disease. Visualization ofÌýcancer then allows physicians to stage the cancer and plan treatment.ÌýAt The Neuro isotopes are used mainly for research protocols such as drugÌýtesting or investigating functions and diseases of the nervous system.

The Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility

The Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Facility is specifi cally designed to enableÌýresearchers and staff to work safely with radioactive materials. Much of theÌýwork is done using remote systems through shielded chambers called ‘hotÌýcells.’ All of the radioisotopes are intended for use in biomedical imaging orÌýclinical research, hence the laboratory is regularly visited by Health CanadaÌýinspectors for quality and safety control purposes.

Are there any risks from working or living near the facility?

Designed and operated to meet or exceed the highest federal safetyÌýstandards, the facility is regulated by the Canadian Nuclear SafetyÌýCommission and Health Canada, and conforms to The Neuro’s health andÌýsafety policies.

Access to the cyclotron and the associated laboratories is tightly controlledÌýthrough a variety of safeguards. Specialized air and waste handling systemsÌýguard against accidental releases of radioisotopes outside the facility. LabÌýwork with radioisotopes takes place in sealed and shielded hot cells designedÌýto contain spills. Because the isotopes produced in the facility are designedÌýto be injected into humans, they do not last very long and decay to negligibleÌýamounts in a matter of hours.

What are the risks of being exposed to radioactive isotopes?

The risk for a member of the public to be accidentally exposed to medicalÌýisotopes is extremely low.

The main isotope for clinical use, fluorine 18, has a half-life of 110 minutes.ÌýFor research, we mainly use Carbon 11 with a half-life of just 20 minutes. ThisÌýmeans that radioactivity decays rapidly. The doses produced are designed toÌýbe safe for injection into patients and research study subjects.Ìý

The facility is designed so that radiation produced by the cyclotron isÌýcontained within the controlled areas that are accessible only to authorizedÌýpersonnel. Heavy shielding is incorporated into the building walls to keepÌýradiation to normal background levels at all times outside the facilityÌýand to ensure that there are no radiation exposure risks to any workers,Ìýmembers of the public or the environment. Personnel working in theÌýcyclotron unit, as well as all staff working with radioactive chemicals wearÌýmonitoring equipment (badges) that measure exposure to radioactivity.ÌýBadges are turned in and checked regularly. The packaging and transportÌýof the radioactive substances for delivery to local hospitals is done safely inÌýaccordance with Transport Canada regulations for the transport of dangerousÌýgoods (TDG, class 7).

Location

​The CYCLOTRON and Radiochemistry Facility is located at the MontrealÌýNeurological Institute (3801 University Street). This location is ideal due to itsÌýproximity to local downtown Montreal hospitals, permitting rapid shipment ofÌýmedical isotopes to end users before they decay.

Today, The Neuro’s CYCLOTRON and Radiochemistry Facility produces theÌýlongest list of radiotracers used in PET imaging in North America, serving aÌýlocal community of researchers and hospitals.

Do you have any questions?

For any questions or comments about the CYCLOTRON and RadiochemistryÌýFacility, please contact:

Gassan Massarweh, Ph.D.Ìý
Director of the CYCLOTRON and Radiochemistry Facility
Montreal Neurological Institute
Tel: 514 398-8527
gassan.massarweh [at] mcgill.ca (EmailÌý)

For more information on isotopes visit theÌý

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