Gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease
Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often uses gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to improve the characterization of imaging contrast, owing to their strong paramagnetic properties. Magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) visualizes the conductivity distribution of bi...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92966-x |
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| author | Geon-Ho Jahng Mun Bae Lee Oh-In Kwon |
| author_facet | Geon-Ho Jahng Mun Bae Lee Oh-In Kwon |
| author_sort | Geon-Ho Jahng |
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| description | Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often uses gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to improve the characterization of imaging contrast, owing to their strong paramagnetic properties. Magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) visualizes the conductivity distribution of biological tissues at the Larmor frequency using the $$B_1$$ field phase signal. In this paper, we investigate the effect of GBCA on brain conductivity. To compare the differences of reconstructed noisy conductivity maps before and after the GBCA injection, we propose a method to remove the background low-frequency noise artifact based on an elliptic partial differential equation. By analyzing the relationship between electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability, the objective of this study is to develop a cost-effective and accessible initial screening imaging tool for diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. To investigate vascular damage in AD, we define a conductivity heterogeneity volume fraction (CHVF) caused by GBCA leakage. Using CHVF, we develop three indices to characterize mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. To verify the proposed method, we studied a total of 42 participants, including 14 individuals diagnosed with AD, 18 participants with MCI, and 10 cognitively normal (CN) participants. Finally, we designed a radar chart informed by the CHVF analysis, to exhibit the pertinent parameters for MCI and AD patients, facilitating the evaluation and ongoing monitoring of each patient’s diagnosis and treatment regimen. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ccccf0c3e81f439dbfdbc1a77007ab50 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ccccf0c3e81f439dbfdbc1a77007ab502025-08-20T02:10:16ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-92966-xGadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s diseaseGeon-Ho Jahng0Mun Bae Lee1Oh-In Kwon2Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee UniversityDepartment of Mathematics, College of Basic Science, Konkuk UniversityDepartment of Mathematics, College of Basic Science, Konkuk UniversityAbstract Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often uses gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) to improve the characterization of imaging contrast, owing to their strong paramagnetic properties. Magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) visualizes the conductivity distribution of biological tissues at the Larmor frequency using the $$B_1$$ field phase signal. In this paper, we investigate the effect of GBCA on brain conductivity. To compare the differences of reconstructed noisy conductivity maps before and after the GBCA injection, we propose a method to remove the background low-frequency noise artifact based on an elliptic partial differential equation. By analyzing the relationship between electrical conductivity and magnetic permeability, the objective of this study is to develop a cost-effective and accessible initial screening imaging tool for diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. To investigate vascular damage in AD, we define a conductivity heterogeneity volume fraction (CHVF) caused by GBCA leakage. Using CHVF, we develop three indices to characterize mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. To verify the proposed method, we studied a total of 42 participants, including 14 individuals diagnosed with AD, 18 participants with MCI, and 10 cognitively normal (CN) participants. Finally, we designed a radar chart informed by the CHVF analysis, to exhibit the pertinent parameters for MCI and AD patients, facilitating the evaluation and ongoing monitoring of each patient’s diagnosis and treatment regimen.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92966-xMagnetic Resonance ImagingMulti-echo gradient echoElectrical conductivityGadolinium-based contrast agentAlzheimer’s DiseaseConductivity heterogeneity volume fraction |
| spellingShingle | Geon-Ho Jahng Mun Bae Lee Oh-In Kwon Gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease Scientific Reports Magnetic Resonance Imaging Multi-echo gradient echo Electrical conductivity Gadolinium-based contrast agent Alzheimer’s Disease Conductivity heterogeneity volume fraction |
| title | Gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease |
| title_full | Gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease |
| title_fullStr | Gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease |
| title_short | Gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease |
| title_sort | gadolinium based contrast agent induced electrical conductivity heterogeneity analysis in the brain of alzheimer s disease |
| topic | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Multi-echo gradient echo Electrical conductivity Gadolinium-based contrast agent Alzheimer’s Disease Conductivity heterogeneity volume fraction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92966-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT geonhojahng gadoliniumbasedcontrastagentinducedelectricalconductivityheterogeneityanalysisinthebrainofalzheimersdisease AT munbaelee gadoliniumbasedcontrastagentinducedelectricalconductivityheterogeneityanalysisinthebrainofalzheimersdisease AT ohinkwon gadoliniumbasedcontrastagentinducedelectricalconductivityheterogeneityanalysisinthebrainofalzheimersdisease |