Influence blocking by gadolinium in calcium diffusion on synapse model: A monte carlo simulation study

Abstract

Background: Gadolinium (Gd3+) is a chemical element belonging to the lanthanide group and commonly used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a contrast agent. However, recently, gadolinium has been reported deposition in the body after a patient receives multiple injections. Gadolinium is a potent block and competes with calcium diffusion into the presynaptic. There has not been a precise mechanism of gadolinium blocking calcium channel as a channel of calcium diffusion to presynaptic until now. Objective: This study aims to investigate the mechanism of calcium influx model and the effect of neurotransmitter release to the synaptic cleft influenced by the presence of Gd3+. Material and Methods: Monte Carlo Cell simulation was used to analyze simulation and also Blender was used to create and visualize the model for synapse. The synapse modeled by a form resembling the actual synapse base on a spherical shape. Results: The presence of gadolinium around the presynaptic has been disturbing diffusion of calcium influx presynaptic. The result shows that the presence of gado-linium around the presynaptic has caused a decrease in the amount of calcium influx presynaptic. These factors contribute to reducing the establishment of the active mem-brane, then the amount of synaptic vesicle docking and finally the amount of released neurotransmitter. Conclusion: Gadolinium and calcium compete with each other across of calcium channel. The presence of gadolinium has caused a chain effect for signal transmission at the chemical synapse, reducing the amount of active membrane, synaptic vesicle docking, and releasing neurotransmitter.