German researchers have discovered how gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) enter the brain via the glymphatic pathway. In past studies, researchers often overlook and misinterpret the pathway. They emphasize this discovery has important clinical implications.
About Gadolinium
Gadolinium is a chemical element carrying the atomic number 64 and the atomic symbol Gd. Belonging to a group of elements in the periodic table called Lanthanides, the chemical is a rare earth element. Microwave applications, color TV tubes, synthetic gemstones, compact discs, and computer memory typically use the chemical. Also, the medical community uses this chemical element as an injectable contrast agent when patients undergo MRI or MRA scans.
The medical community believes that after they inject the body with this dye, it expels it naturally within a few hours. However, this is not always the case. The chemical agent can also stay in the body for months or years following a single imaging session. Therefore, it causes the body to develop a whole range of debilitating symptoms like brain fog, ligament tightening, balance problems, hair loss, cognitive symptoms and more.
Gadolinium Brain Study
Investigative Radiology published a study performed by Dr. Katerina Deike-Hofmann and colleagues from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) at Heidelberg University Hospital and Essen University Hospital. The study explains how gadolinium enters the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). They show that specific entry points excrete gadolinium. These include the choroid plexus and the anterior chamber of the eye. Then, the element enters the glymphatic system and the surrounding perineural space.
Co-author Dr. Radbruch says it is too early to conclude any diagnostically meaningful connections at this point. However, there is hope that current researchers studying the effects of gadolinium retention may be able to use this information to explain symptoms. Unfortunately, researchers in the study recommend radiologists wait 3 to 24 hours after the study before performing the MRI. This is troubling news that more people could be potentially exposed to long doses of the chemical. Yet, this recommendation supports the suspicion that the medical community denies – that gadolinium leaves the body quickly.
This study confirms that gadolinium takes a long time to be totally removed from the body. In fact, the researchers want to use their findings to study permanent gadolinium deposition.
Free Case Evaluation
A gadolinium lawsuit may be an option for patients suffering from gadolinium retention and related complications. Gadolinium, used in dyes to increase the clarity of MRI and MRA scans, can create chemical element retention in the body, Therefore, this increases the risk of gadolinium deposition disease and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. These conditions are accompanied by symptoms that include severe physical pain and cognitive difficulties. Affected patients and their loved ones may be able to file a lawsuit and recover damages.
Therefore, for more information, contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We have over 20 years of experience helping consumers injured by unsafe products manufactured by large companies.