Quantification of paramagnetic ions and its binding molecules in brain tissue using magnetic resonance

• Grant number: 11/06703-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2011
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Oswaldo Baffa Filho
• Grantee: Jorge Antonio Gómez Luna
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project focuses in the study of paramagnetic ions and its binding molecules in human brain tissues of healthy people and affected by the neurodegenerative diseases of Epilepsy and Parkinson's. This study will be conducted with autopsy samples of brain tissue of human and animals, using the techniques of Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and making an anatomical-pathological correlations. This project also aim to detect and quantify magnetic nanoparticles in animal brain tissue, which are used in animal models of epilepsy. Thus, the results of this project seek to contributing to the development of models that attempt to explain the pathophysiology of these two neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, using the correlations of the results of these magnetic resonance techniques, we will make an extrapolation for a most effective use of MRI as a tool for diagnosis and management of both neurodegenerative diseases.