Investigation of gadolinium may lead to increased for MRI contrast agents with manganese

Basically all approved contrast agents for MRI are based on the basic element gadolinium (Gd). The use of the Gd, which is foreign to the body, in some contrast agents been related to serious adverse reactions in groups of patients with impaired renal function. More recently it has also been documented that it can accumulate in the body, e.g. in the brain, and remain there long after administration. An investigation on the use of certain Gd-based contrast agents has been ongoing for some time at the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Manganese (Mn), an essential trace element that occur naturally in the body, is used in Spago Nanomedical´s product candidate SpagoPix (SN132D). In a column in AuntMinnie Europe, Dr. Peter Rinck, professor of diagnostic imaging, points at Mn as an alternative to Gd in MRI contrast agents.

Read more in the article at AuntMinnie Europe here.