We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Magnetic Particle Imaging Device Identifies Alzheimer's Risk before Symptoms Onset

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 08 Sep 2023
Print article
Image: The magnetic particle imaging device is capable of producing images of the human brain (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric)
Image: The magnetic particle imaging device is capable of producing images of the human brain (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric)

The prevalence of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, continues to rise globally. Medications targeting the accumulation of amyloid-β in the brain, a potential contributor to Alzheimer's, have shown promise in slowing disease progression. Early intervention during periods of low amyloid-β buildup in the brain can delay disease onset. Therefore, there exists a critical need for technology capable of measuring amyloid-β accumulation and distribution. Now, the world's first high-sensitivity imaging device designed to operate at low frequencies with a compact power supply could revolutionize pre-Alzheimer's diagnosis. This device can image magnetic particles that bind to amyloid-β, the causative agent of Alzheimer's, enabling quantitative assessment of amyloid-β accumulation and distribution. The goal is to enable imaging-based predictions of Alzheimer's risk before symptoms manifest in the patient.

A team of scientists at Mitsubishi Electric (Tokyo, Japan), Okayama University (Okayama, Japan) and Osaka University (Suita, Japan) have developed the world's first high-sensitivity imaging device that operates at frequencies of 1 kHz or less, significantly reducing the power supply unit's size. Higher-frequency alternating magnetic fields enhance signal detection sensitivity. Existing compact devices, suitable for small animal testing like mice, typically use frequencies of around 25 kHz. The main challenge in adapting this technology for human use was the bulky power supply unit required to drive a larger coil. The device employs an alternating magnetic field generated by a coil to induce magnetic signals from injected magnetic particles within the body, using these signals to generate a three-dimensional image.

Drawing on their extensive expertise in electromagnetic technology and optimizing coil configurations for generating alternating magnetic fields and signal detection, Mitsubishi Electric devised a method that minimizes unwanted signals (noise) that can interfere with magnetic signal detection. This has enabled the development of a magnetic particle imaging device capable of sensitively capturing magnetic particle images across an area equivalent to the human brain's size. Most importantly, its ability to operate at frequencies below 1 kHz is a pioneering achievement that dramatically reduces the size of the necessary power supply unit. This breakthrough represents a significant leap toward realizing imaging tests capable of assessing the risk of Alzheimer's development before symptoms emerge.

Related Links:
Mitsubishi Electric
Okayama University
Osaka University 

Ultra-Flat DR Detector
meX+1717SCC
X-Ray Illuminator
X-Ray Viewbox Illuminators
New
Needle Guide Disposable Kit
Verza
New
Mobile X-Ray Machine
MARS 15 / 30

Print article

Channels

MRI

view channel
Image: An AI tool has shown tremendous promise for predicting relapse of pediatric brain cancer (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Tool Predicts Relapse of Pediatric Brain Cancer from Brain MRI Scans

Many pediatric gliomas are treatable with surgery alone, but relapses can be catastrophic. Predicting which patients are at risk for recurrence remains challenging, leading to frequent follow-ups with... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: In vivo imaging of U-87 MG xenograft model with varying mass doses of 89Zr-labeled KLG-3 or isotype control (Photo courtesy of L Gajecki et al.; doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.124.268762)

Novel Radiolabeled Antibody Improves Diagnosis and Treatment of Solid Tumors

Interleukin-13 receptor α-2 (IL13Rα2) is a cell surface receptor commonly found in solid tumors such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer. It is minimally expressed in normal tissues, making it... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.