Magnetite biomineralization in the human brain
Authors not listed · 1992
Researchers detected ferromagnetic material in human brain tissue and identified minerals in the magnetite-maghemite family.
Plain English Summary
The study used an ultrasensitive superconducting magnetometer to detect ferromagnetic material in various human brain tissues. High-resolution electron microscopy identified the minerals as belonging to the magnetite-maghemite family, with crystal morphologies resembling those produced by magnetotactic bacteria and fish. The measurements imply at least 5 million single-domain crystals per gram in most brain tissues and over 100 million per gram in the pia and dura.
Why This Matters
Magnetic property data show the crystals form clumps of 50 to 100 particles. The authors suggest biogenic magnetite may explain high-field saturation effects in MRI and possible biological effects of low-frequency magnetic fields.
Show BibTeX
@article{magnetite_biomineralization_in_the_human_brain_ce2274,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Magnetite biomineralization in the human brain},
year = {1992},
doi = {10.1073/PNAS.89.16.7683},
}