International Journal on Magnetic Particle Imaging IJMPI
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2025): Int J Mag Part Imag
https://doi.org/10.18416/IJMPI.2025.2508004

Research Articles, ID 921

Advancing brain drug delivery: Focused magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic particle imaging for real-time BBB modulation

Main Article Content

Hafiz Ashfaq Ahmad (Department of AI Convergence, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea), Hohyeon Kim (Ph.D. Student, Department of AI Convergence, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea), Ji-Hye Kim (Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea), Kang-Ho Choi (Corresponding Author, Department of Neurology Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea), Jungwon Yoon (Corresponding Author, Department of AI Convergence, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), South Korea)

Copyright (c) 2025 Hafiz Ashfaq Ahmad, Hohyeon Kim, Ji-Hye Kim, Kang-Ho Choi, Jungwon Yoon

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is crucial for brain protection but limits therapeutic delivery for neurological disorders. This study utilizes magnetic hyperthermia (MH) to transiently and reversibly open the BBB, with magnetic particle imaging (MPI) enabling real-time, high-sensitivity monitoring. Using field-free point (FFP)-based focused heating, MH facilitated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) penetration into the brain and prolonged retention in the target area. Fluorescence imaging was confirmed on Evans blue staining to analyze BBB permeability immediately after MH, while MPI quantification revealed significant MNPs accumulation at target sites in focused-heated groups compared to non-heated controls. Fluorescence images further showed that BBB permeability restored after 24 hours, though MNPs retention persisted in heated regions for more than 72 hours. Fluorescence imaging confirms BBB permeability immediately after MH, while MPI provides both qualitative imaging and quantitative data on MNPs distribution and retention. These findings indicate that MPI can detect particle retention and distribution patterns that are not visible with Fluorescence imaging.

Article Details

References

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