Magnetic particle imaging device capable of producing images of human brain

Mitsubishi Electric, Okayama University, and Osaka University have together developed world's first high-sensitivity imaging device capable of operating at low frequencies with compact power supply, will facilitate diagnosis of pre-Alzheimer's new magnetic particle imaging device (prototype). This magnetic particle imaging device capable of sensitive imaging of magnetic particles in an area equivalent in size to that of the human brain, in a project supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). The device operates at low frequencies of 1 kHz or less, a world-first, allowing the use of a significantly smaller power supply unit. The utilization of this device to image magnetic particles that bind to amyloid-β, 2 the causative agent of Alzheimer's, will allow the accumulation and distribution of amyloid-β to be quantified. The aim is to allow imaging-based assessments of the likelihood of Alzheimer's developing prior to the onset of the disease.

The number of dementia patients aged 65 and older in Japan is expected to reach 7 million in 2025. Significant statistical findings indicate that Alzheimer's accounts for 67.6% of these dementia cases. Japan enacted the Dementia Basi...