Buckyballs may diagnose and treat brain tumors

October 19, 2005 | Source: KurzweilAI

Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech researchers are developing metal-filled buckyballs for use as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent that may boost the sensitivity of MRI techniques and improve the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors.

They found that the nanoparticles highlighted the tumors more effectively than existing imaging agents. They provide improved brain tissue differentiation and a dark outline of the tumor margin, making surgical removal more precise.

The Virginia Tech researchers plan to load the buckyballs with a metal that can be neutron-activated to produce useful radioisotopes and fluorescent materials.

Source: Virginia Commonwealth University/Virginia Tech news release