Figure 2. Maximum intensity projections (MIPs) of the 3D vascular network in the cat, viewed in (a) coronal (left image) and (b) axial orientations. The axial projection (b) was performed over the full acquisition volume; the coronal projection (a) was produced … Such methods can be used for building models of the vascular network and may benefit a variety of research applications including fMRI, cerebrovascular disease, and cancer angiogenesis. Because of the lengthening T1 and increased SNR, significant gains

can be expected for such studies at even higher magnetic fields such as -~16 to 17T. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical At higher magnetic fields such as 14 to 17 T, other unique contrast mechanisms also come into play, leading to exquisite anatomical images obtained using approaches such as phase71 and T2* -weighted imaging, providing unprecedented visualization of anatomy in animal models.72 The mechanism responsible for this improved anatomical imaging appears to be tissue-specific differences induced largely by myelin content Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical and/or presence of iron.73-77 Thus, the primary advantage of ultrahigh field for structural MRI is not just the SNR gain, which could be Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical traded

for increased spatial resolution at constant imaging times or imaging time at constant spatial resolution, but also gains in contrast mechanisms. A recent and exciting example where the advantages of combined Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical use of high magnetic fields and animal models were indispensable in morphological imaging has been the in vivo detection of amyloid plaques78,79 (Figure 3) exploiting the genetic capabilities available in animal models. Among the neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer’s disease has received much of the attention due to its frequency and hence high public health impact. Aβ plaques, a cardinal

pathologic feature of Alzheimer’s disease, were previously observed In T2* -weighted images of ex vivo tissue specimens taken from the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical brain of AD mice. These plaques were imaged for the first time in vivo in anesthetized AD mice in reasonable imaging times (~ 1 hour)78 using T2 weighting at very high magnetic fields (9.4 T), incorporating strategies that minimize perturbations originating from breathing and brain pulsation. The mechanism responsible for this accomplishment is thought to be alterations in effective T2 by diffusion-induced dynamic averaging of magnetic susceptibility Sitaxentan gradients around the plaques. This contrast is small but FK506 in vivo depends quadratically on magnetic field magnitude. As such, the ultrahigh field was indispensable. Imaging of labeled plaques has been accomplished with other non-MR modalities (see references in ref 78). Unlike other modalities, however, MRI provides the potential for visualizing individual plaques noninvasively. Figure 3. 9.4 T MRI and histology of 24 6-month 6-old AD mouse.