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Use of clinical MR scanners for small rodent imaging
Methods 43 (2007) 1 www.elsevier.com/locate/ymeth
Guest Editor’s Introduction
Use of clinical MR scanners for small rodent imaging
Experiments involving animals remain an important part of scientific research. The vast majority of experiments take place on small rodents because they are easy to breed and keep and share basic biology and chemistry with humans, and because of their excellent genetic and physiological characterisation and the broad availability of genetically engineered strains. Changes in organ morphology and function under normal and pathologic conditions as well as tumor growth and tumor physiology are frequently observed parameters. In the past, analysis of these parameters often was bound to invasive methods, and groups of animals had to be killed at predefined intervals to perform longitudinal studies. With scientific progress, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gained importance in preclinical research for different reasons. First, MRI offers longitudinal in vivo studies without the need to sacrifice animals, thus making data better comparable and reducing the number of required animals. Second, in vivo MRI makes it possible to monitor certain physiological parameters normally not assessable without invasive measures. MRI offers a relatively high soft tissue resolution of structures localized far beyond the surface and thus provides an elegant tool for answering many different questions in preclinical in vivo research. Although dedicated high-field-strength, small-bore animal MR scanners are the devices of choice for small-animal MRI, clinical MR scanners offer a wide variety of options for investigations despite their limitations.
This issue of Methods is dedicated to elucidating the current possibilities and limitations in small-animal imaging using clinical MR scanners. Methods featured in this issue describe imaging of the central and peripheral nervous systems and abdominal organs, as well as cardiac imaging or MR-angiography. Furthermore, techniques and pitfalls associated with diffusion-weighted imaging in small animals using clinical scanners are described. As signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a critical factor in small-animal MRI, one article describes development and operation of a cryo-cooled coil system to improve SNR. Another article features different considerations of anaesthesia, which is a basic requirement for small-animal MRI. To round up this issue of Methods, a review dealing with current possibilities and limitations in small-animal MRI with clinical equipment provides an overview of this issue’s topic. We hope the readership will profit from the described methods, and that the provided articles will inspire and encourage experienced as well as inexperienced readers to consider MRI in small rodents, even if no dedicated small-animal scanner is available. Marc A. Brockmann * University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Department of Neuroradiology, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
*
1046-2023/$ - see front matter Ó 2007 Published by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.ymeth.2007.08.002
Fax: +49 621 383 2165.
Guest Editor’s Introduction
Use of clinical MR scanners for small rodent imaging
Experiments involving animals remain an important part of scientific research. The vast majority of experiments take place on small rodents because they are easy to breed and keep and share basic biology and chemistry with humans, and because of their excellent genetic and physiological characterisation and the broad availability of genetically engineered strains. Changes in organ morphology and function under normal and pathologic conditions as well as tumor growth and tumor physiology are frequently observed parameters. In the past, analysis of these parameters often was bound to invasive methods, and groups of animals had to be killed at predefined intervals to perform longitudinal studies. With scientific progress, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gained importance in preclinical research for different reasons. First, MRI offers longitudinal in vivo studies without the need to sacrifice animals, thus making data better comparable and reducing the number of required animals. Second, in vivo MRI makes it possible to monitor certain physiological parameters normally not assessable without invasive measures. MRI offers a relatively high soft tissue resolution of structures localized far beyond the surface and thus provides an elegant tool for answering many different questions in preclinical in vivo research. Although dedicated high-field-strength, small-bore animal MR scanners are the devices of choice for small-animal MRI, clinical MR scanners offer a wide variety of options for investigations despite their limitations.
This issue of Methods is dedicated to elucidating the current possibilities and limitations in small-animal imaging using clinical MR scanners. Methods featured in this issue describe imaging of the central and peripheral nervous systems and abdominal organs, as well as cardiac imaging or MR-angiography. Furthermore, techniques and pitfalls associated with diffusion-weighted imaging in small animals using clinical scanners are described. As signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a critical factor in small-animal MRI, one article describes development and operation of a cryo-cooled coil system to improve SNR. Another article features different considerations of anaesthesia, which is a basic requirement for small-animal MRI. To round up this issue of Methods, a review dealing with current possibilities and limitations in small-animal MRI with clinical equipment provides an overview of this issue’s topic. We hope the readership will profit from the described methods, and that the provided articles will inspire and encourage experienced as well as inexperienced readers to consider MRI in small rodents, even if no dedicated small-animal scanner is available. Marc A. Brockmann * University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Department of Neuroradiology, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
*
1046-2023/$ - see front matter Ó 2007 Published by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.ymeth.2007.08.002
Fax: +49 621 383 2165.