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Published on: November 10, 2015
Magnetic properties of human hippocampal tissue--evaluation of artefact and contamination sources
1Department of Physics, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, Australia.
Abstract:
To investigate the possibility that postmortem chemical alteration or contamination is responsible for recent results indicating the presence of magnetite in human brain tissue and to determine whether magnetite is present in living brain tissue, we examined tissue samples resected from six patients during amygdalohippocampectomy operations. The tissue samples were sealed in sterilized vials in the operating theater and placed into liquid nitrogen directly after removal to prevent changes in tissue chemistry after the death of the brain cells. The low temperature magnetic properties of the tissue were measured to determine the presence of ferro- or ferrimagnetic material in the tissue. The results of these experiments indicate that magnetite is present in the tissue. In addition, results of experiments designed to control for airborne contamination and contamination during cauterization of vessels during surgery indicate that these are not significant sources of magnetite contamination in the tissue.
Insights
Researchers found magnetite in living human brain tissue. This study confirms magnetite is naturally present, not from postmortem changes or contamination during surgery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Recent studies suggest magnetite in human brain tissue, but concerns exist about postmortem alteration or contamination.
- Understanding the presence and origin of magnetite in the brain is crucial for neurological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if postmortem chemical changes or contamination cause reported magnetite presence in human brain tissue.
- To determine if magnetite occurs naturally in living human brain tissue.
Main Methods:
- Examined brain tissue samples from six patients undergoing amygdalohippocampectomy.
- Sealed tissue in sterile vials intraoperatively and flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen.
- Measured low-temperature magnetic properties to detect ferro- or ferrimagnetic materials.
Main Results:
- Magnetite was detected in the resected living human brain tissue.
- Experiments ruled out airborne contamination and surgical cauterization as significant sources of magnetite.
Conclusions:
- Magnetite is present in living human brain tissue.
- The findings suggest magnetite is a natural component of the human brain, not solely a result of postmortem artifacts or surgical contamination.
