Finding 'Dementia-Causing Substances' Without Using Contrast Agents

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] Domestic researchers have developed an imaging technology that can detect trace amounts of substances using electromagnetic waves without the burden of side effects from contrast agents. To capture images inside the body using PET, CT, or fluorescence microscopy, the use of contrast agents to make the target visible is essential, but this technology allows imaging without contrast agents.

Dr. Mina Seo's research team at the Sensor Systems Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology announced on the 30th that they monitored the 'amyloid plaque' protein, known as a cause of dementia, using terahertz (THz, 10^12 Hz) electromagnetic waves. The related research results were published in the international journal in analytical chemistry, Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

Emerging Technology Utilizing Terahertz Electromagnetic Waves

The research team developed a technology that can utilize terahertz electromagnetic waves to detect trace substances present in the human body. Originally, terahertz electromagnetic waves have longer wavelengths than X-rays or visible light, making it difficult to observe very small or trace amounts of substances. Also, they are absorbed and disappear in the water inside the body, so it is impossible to collect the observed information.

The research team solved these difficulties by developing metamaterials. Metamaterials are artificially engineered materials that possess properties not found in nature. By using metamaterials to change the optical properties of the target substance, metals can appear as plastic, or objects can be made invisible to the eye.

Observation of Dementia-Causing Substances

Using this technology, the research team observed amyloid plaque proteins, which exist in extremely small amounts in the brain and are known as causes of dementia. The team stated that terahertz waves are sensitive to the state of molecules, allowing quantitative analysis of the amount of amyloid protein accumulation. Existing imaging diagnostic methods only allowed relative comparison through contrast differences in images.

Dr. Mina Seo said, "By directly detecting various disease-causing substances in the human body without contrast agents, this technology is expected to be applicable not only to dementia but also to the development of diagnostic technologies for various diseases," adding, "For example, it could also be used as an imaging technology to clearly identify the boundaries of cancer tissues inside the body without contrast agents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.