X-Message-Number: 3223
Date:  Fri, 07 Oct 94 20:24:24 
From: Steve Bridge <>
Subject: CRYONICS Alcor research


To CryoNet
>From Steve Bridge, Alcor
October 7, 1994

NOTE: The following brief announcement will appear in the 4th Quarter 
CRYONICS magazine, which is approaching completion now.  I know that 
several of you will be tempted to ask further questions on CryoNet or to 
call Alcor staff or me to find out more.  Please don't yet.  We're still 
in the middle of things and are simply not ready to say more at this time. 

Steve Bridge
****************************************************************

     On September 25, 1994, Alcor began the first steps in its new 
research program.  Parts of the experiment were still ongoing at press 
time, and evaluation of the results will take several weeks at least.  A 
more complete report is planned for the 1st Quarter 1995 issue of 
CRYONICS.  We can, however, report on one interesting result.

     One of the experiment's objectives was to assess the feasibility of 
using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) to 
determine the 3-dimensional distribution of glycerol in a cryoprotected 
subject.  The research team performed total body washouts on two dogs, 
similar to the treatment which would be performed in a cryonic suspension.  
The control animal received no further perfusion.  The experimental animal 
was given a cryoprotective perfusion, reaching a high terminal 
concentration of 9.40 molar glycerol.  The animals' heads were removed, 
and the unfrozen heads were scanned using both MRI and CT (at water ice 
temperature).

     With both methods, the glycerolized subject could easily be 
distinguished from the unglycerolized control.  The method has the 
potential of being used on future research animals and even suspension 
patients to determine if there are pockets of tissue not adequately 
glycerolized.  (A preliminary examination of the scan pictures on this 
case appeared to show even glycerolization of the experimental subject.)   
After this the heads were frozen to dry ice temperature and scanned again.  
The difference in the control vs. the glycerolized animal again could be 
seen in the CT images, but the MRI images were blank, as we thought they 
might be.   Apparently solidification of the tissue restricted atomic 
motion enough to prevent the resonance effects that produce images. 

     We plan to extend this line of research in several directions.  If 
you would like to donate toward this work, please contact Steve Bridge or 
David Pizer at Alcor.  Since Alcor is a tax-exempt non-profit 
organization, your donations may be tax deductible.

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