Question

How MRI agents based on gadolinium compounds work

Answer 1

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to produce detailed images inside of the body by using a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body.

MRI uses large powerful magnets that forces the proton of the body to align with the magnetic field. Now when the radio frequency current is passed through the body, the protons start aligning against the magnetic field ans spin out of the equilibrium. When the radio frequency is shut off, the protons come back to their original state and start aligning themselves with the filed. This process of aligning gain with the magnetic field releases energy which is detected by the MRI .

Gadolinium is used as the contrasting agent which helps in improving the visibility of the internal structures of the body. They basically shorten or decreases the relaxation time of the protons or nuclei. The faster the protons realign , the better and clearer the image.