Are MRI Contrast Agents Safe? New Research Highlights Potential Risks and Safety Improvements
- Ciatrix Research Team
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Introduction
MRI scans are a common and valuable tool used by doctors to look inside the body without surgery. To improve the clarity of MRI images, contrast agents containing the metal gadolinium are often used. Although these agents have generally been considered safe, recent research suggests there are some risks we should be aware of.
How MRI Contrast Agents Work
MRI contrast agents function similarly to turning on a spotlight in a dark room—they help doctors clearly see specific areas inside your body. Gadolinium, used in these agents, interacts well with MRI machines, helping produce detailed images. To keep it safe, gadolinium is bound tightly to other molecules, making sure it leaves your body soon after the scan.¹
Two Main Types of Gadolinium Contrast Agents
Not all gadolinium-based contrast agents are the same. They differ in their chemical structure and stability:
Macrocyclic Agents
Macrocyclic agents have a ring-shaped structure, securely holding onto gadolinium, making them stable and safe.
Linear Agents
Linear agents are structured more openly, making them less stable and slightly more likely to release gadolinium under certain conditions.
Recent Findings: Oxalic Acid’s Unexpected Role
In 2025, researchers from the University of New Mexico discovered a new interaction between gadolinium agents and oxalic acid, a natural compound found in many foods and produced in our bodies.
This interaction can cause gadolinium to separate from its carrier molecule, forming tiny particles known as nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can remain in organs like the kidneys and brain, raising concerns about potential long-term effects.²
Why Should This Matter?
While most people won’t experience immediate issues, the formation of these nanoparticles could have subtle, yet important, impacts on organ health, especially for those with kidney problems. This discovery emphasizes the importance of better understanding gadolinium’s effects in the body.
Everyone Reacts Differently
Just like how some people react differently to certain foods or medications, our bodies handle gadolinium differently based on genetics, diet, and health conditions. This variability influences how well each person can eliminate gadolinium.
Personalizing MRI Safety
Doctors can use this information to tailor MRI procedures to each patient, potentially selecting safer options based on individual health profiles, such as kidney function and diet.
Understanding Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)
One known risk related to gadolinium retention is Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). This rare but serious condition causes hardening of skin and connective tissues and mainly affects individuals with existing severe kidney issues.²
Making MRI Scans Safer
Based on recent findings, several practical steps can enhance MRI safety:
Better Screening: Checking kidney function and oxalic acid levels before scans.
Safer Agent Selection: Preferring macrocyclic agents due to their greater stability.
Patient Education: Clearly communicating MRI risks and benefits to allow informed decisions.
Exploring Alternatives and Future Directions
While MRI, even with the safety considerations discussed, remains a cornerstone of diagnostics, research continues into alternative or complementary diagnostic methods. These are particularly relevant for conditions requiring frequent monitoring, very early detection, or where avoiding contrast agents is a priority.
For instance, in the field of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), new technologies are emerging. One example is the Glymphometer, under development at the University of Oulu. This non-invasive device utilizes light to monitor brain fluid dynamics, specifically the activity of the glymphatic system, which clears waste from the brain. The aim is to detect subtle, early signs indicative of conditions like Alzheimer's disease, potentially years before clinical symptoms appear or significant structural changes are evident on standard MRI scans.³
Such technologies, focusing on functional changes or early biomarkers rather than detailed anatomical imaging alone, represent a promising avenue. They could eventually offer valuable diagnostic insights or risk assessment tools for certain conditions without involving gadolinium-based agents, thereby complementing existing methods and further enhancing personalized approaches to patient health monitoring and care.
Conclusion: Moving Toward Safer MRIs
The new insights into how gadolinium interacts with oxalic acid represent an important step forward in ensuring the safety of MRI scans. MRI remains a crucial diagnostic tool, and continuous research combined with informed, personalized patient care will help keep MRI procedures as safe and effective as possible.
Sources
UNM Scientists Discover How Nanoparticles of Toxic Metal Used in MRI Scans Infiltrate Human Tissue https://hscnews.unm.edu/news/unm-scientists-discover-how-nanoparticles-of-toxic-metal-used-in-mri-scans-infiltrate-human-tissue
Henderson, I. M., Benevidez, A. D., Mowry, C. D., Watt, J., Bachand, G. D., Kirk, M. L., Dokładny, K., DeAguero, J., Escobar, G. P., & Wagner, B. (n.d.). Precipitation of gadolinium from magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents may be the Brass tacks of toxicity. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0730725X25000670?via%3Dihub
Brain health monitoring and early detection of neurodegenerative diseases: a promising future | University of Oulu https://www.oulu.fi/en/news/brain-health-monitoring-and-early-detection-neurodegenerative-diseases-promising-future
MRI warning as study says injection could cause deadly material to form in body https://www.independent.co.uk/health-and-wellbeing/mri-scan-injection-oxalic-acid-b2732737.html
Scientists discover how nanoparticles of toxic metal used in MRI scans infiltrate human tissue https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-scientists-nanoparticles-toxic-metal-mri.html
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