Myelin Mapping in Mouse Brain In Vivo using Contrast-Enhanced Magnetization Transfer MRI

Takashi Watanabe¹, Jens Frahm¹, Thomas Michaelis¹

This work demonstrates the combined and complimentary use of MnCl₂ and Gd-DTPA to improve the white/gray matter contrast in magnetization-transfer MRI (3D FLASH) of the brain of living mice. A systemic Mn²⁺ administration followed by an intraventricular Gd-DTPA administration increased the SNR by 26% in the white and by 46% in the gray matter, which resulted in a CNR improvement by 121%. The underlying T1 shortening was more pronounced in the gray ( 62%) than in the white matter (39%). Intracellular Mn²⁺ and extracellular Gd-DTPA efficiently complement each other in shortening the T1 of brain tissue fluid.