Karl-Heinz Herrmann1, Alexandra Kretz2,
Ronny Haenold3, Ines Krumbein, Falk Weih3, Otto
1Medical Physics Group, Department
of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology I, Jena University Hospital,
Jena, Germany; 2Clinic of Neurology, Jena University Hospital,
Jena, Germany; 3Research Group Immunology, Leibnitz Insitute for
Age Research, Jena, Germany
The use of Mn2+-enhanced MRI can delineate isolated tracts like the visual projection all the way from the optic nerve to the visual cortex areas. A clinical 3T whole-body scanner was used in combination with a dedicated small animal Litz volume resonator to acquire Mn-enhanced images of mice with an isotropic resolution of (0.2mm)3 within an acquisition time of 35 min. The resulting images provide excellent contrast of the visual projection and allow detailed studies of injuries of the optical nerve.