(1) Department of Radiology, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 Fifteenth St., 30912 Augusta, Georgia, USA;(2) Department of Immunology & Microbiology, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 Fifteenth St., 30912 Augusta, Georgia, USA
Abstract:
There were significant increases in total T cells and in T helper cells in blood samples collected immediately following magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of brains of male volunteers and patients. Percentages of total lymphocytes and suppressor/cytotoxic T cells decreased in these same samples. There were no significant changes in any leukocyte subpopulations in males undergoing lumbar MRI and females undergoing brain MRI. Thus, it is unlikely that stress from the procedure is the explanation for these changes. Our results show that MRI has specific effects on a brain system(s) that controls lymphocyte subpopulations.