The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has concluded its review of gadolinium contrast agents, confirming recommendations to restrict the use of some linear gadolinium agents used in MRI body scans and suspend the authorisations of others.
The recommendations, confirmed by the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) follow a review that found that gadolinium deposition occurs in brain tissues following use of gadolinium contrast agents. There is currently no evidence that gadolinium deposition in the brain has caused any harm to patients; however the EMA has recommended restrictions for some intravenous linear agents in order to prevent any risks that could potentially be associated with gadolinium brain deposition.