Tracking gadolinium contrast in the body with Y-86 PET/MRI
Quantification of whole-body distribution and speciation of gadolinium-based contrast agents by Y-86 PET/MRI
This project uses a special PET/MRI method to track where gadolinium MRI contrast agents go in the body and what chemical forms they take.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177671 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get a PET/MRI scan using a tracer (yttrium-86 chelates) alongside a standard MRI to map where gadolinium contrast goes in your body and whether it stays intact or breaks down. The researchers will compare PET measurements, MRI signal changes, and tissue data to separate how much contrast is present from how it changes MRI signals. Work begins with preclinical method development to validate the approach and aims to translate the method for use in people. The team hopes to identify which organs retain gadolinium and how long it persists.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who receive gadolinium-enhanced MRIs—especially those with prior GBCA exposure or impaired kidney function—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who do not receive contrast-enhanced MRI scans or whose care does not involve contrast exposure are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors measure and monitor gadolinium retention in patients to improve safety and guide contrast use.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has detected gadolinium in tissue samples and seen MRI signal changes, but whole-body quantitative PET/MRI using Y-86 to determine chemical forms is a new and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Le Fur, Mariane — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Le Fur, Mariane
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.