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Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Functional Neuroimaging Using Ultrasonic Blood-brain Barrier Disruption and Manganese-enhanced MRI
Published on: July 12, 2012
Long-Term Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Tumors Using a Simple Manganese Complex
Xinyi Cai1, Nan Liu1, Xi Chen1
1School of Medical Imaging, Division of Medical Technology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300203, China.
Abstract:
Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) plays a pivotal role in the entire process of brain tumor diagnosis. However, safety concerns and the short imaging time window associated with clinical gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents limit the application of CE-MRI in brain tumors. In this study, a small-molecule manganese (Mn) chelate, Mn-PhDTA, was synthesized for long-term CE-MRI of brain tumors. Mn-PhDTA can be easily prepared through three-step reactions with an overall yield of 44% and suitable for gram-scale production. The benzene ring of Mn-PhDTA accelerates the bind to proteins, with longitudinal relaxivity increased by 1.88-fold to 5.14 mM-1 s-1 after binding at 3 T magnetic fields. After intravenous injection, Mn-PhDTA-enhanced CE-MRI significantly improved the contrast-to-noise ratios of gliomas. Furthermore, the enhancement persisted for 72 h, which is tens of times longer than that of clinical Gd-DTPA. Mn-PhDTA offers a promising alternative to Gd-based agents for the early detection of brain tumors.
Insights
A novel manganese (Mn) chelate, Mn-PhDTA, offers a safer, long-lasting alternative for brain tumor imaging. This new agent enhances contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) for improved early detection of gliomas.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) is crucial for brain tumor diagnosis.
- Clinical gadolinium (Gd)-based agents have safety concerns and short imaging windows.
- Limitations hinder effective CE-MRI application in brain tumor management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate a novel small-molecule manganese (Mn) chelate, Mn-PhDTA, for long-term CE-MRI of brain tumors.
- To assess Mn-PhDTA's properties, including synthesis, protein binding, relaxivity, and in vivo performance.
- To establish Mn-PhDTA as a potential alternative to Gd-based contrast agents.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Mn-PhDTA via a three-step reaction.
- Characterization of Mn-PhDTA's binding affinity and longitudinal relaxivity at 3 T.
- In vivo evaluation of Mn-PhDTA in a glioma model using CE-MRI.
- Comparison of enhancement duration with clinical Gd-DTPA.
Main Results:
- Mn-PhDTA was synthesized with 44% overall yield, suitable for gram-scale production.
- Protein binding increased Mn-PhDTA's longitudinal relaxivity by 1.88-fold to 5.14 mM-1 s-1.
- Mn-PhDTA significantly improved contrast-to-noise ratios in gliomas and provided persistent enhancement for 72 hours.
Conclusions:
- Mn-PhDTA demonstrates superior long-term enhancement compared to Gd-based agents.
- This manganese chelate shows potential as a safer, effective alternative for brain tumor CE-MRI.
- Mn-PhDTA facilitates improved early detection and diagnosis of brain tumors.

