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MR microscopy and high resolution small animal MRI: applications in neuroscience research
Helene Benveniste1, Steve Blackband
1Medical Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Building 490, 30 Bell Avenue, Upton, NY 11793, USA. benveniste@bnl.gov
Abstract:
The application of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the study of human disease using small animals has steadily evolved over the past two decades and strongly established the fields of "small animal MR imaging" and "MR microscopy." An increasing number of neuroscience related investigations now implement MR microscopy in their experiments. Research areas of growth pertaining to MR microscopy studies are focused on (1). phenotyping of genetically engineered mice models of human neurological diseases and (2). rodent brain atlases. MR microscopy can be performed in vitro on tissue specimens, ex vivo on brain slice preparations and in vivo (typically on rodents). Like most new imaging technologies, MR microscopy is technologically demanding and requires broad expertise. Uniform guidelines or "standards" of a given MR microscopy experiment are non-existent. The main focus therefore of this review will be on biological applications of MR microscopy and the experimental requirements. We also take a critical look at the biological information that small animal (rodent) MR imaging has provided in neuroscience research.
Insights
Magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy advances neuroscience research by enabling detailed study of genetically engineered models and rodent brain atlases. This review highlights biological applications and experimental needs for small animal MR imaging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Imaging
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Small animal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR microscopy have become vital tools in neuroscience research over the last 20 years.
- There is a growing trend of incorporating MR microscopy into neuroscience investigations, particularly for studying genetically engineered mouse models of human neurological diseases and creating rodent brain atlases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological applications of MR microscopy in neuroscience.
- To discuss the experimental requirements and challenges associated with MR microscopy.
- To critically evaluate the biological information obtained from small animal MR imaging in neuroscience.
Main Methods:
- MR microscopy can be applied in vitro (tissue specimens), ex vivo (brain slices), and in vivo (rodents).
- The review focuses on the biological applications and experimental considerations of MR microscopy.
- A critical assessment of the utility of small animal MR imaging in neuroscience is presented.
Main Results:
- MR microscopy is increasingly used for phenotyping genetically engineered mouse models of human neurological diseases.
- Development of rodent brain atlases is a key growth area for MR microscopy.
- The technology is demanding, requiring specialized expertise and lacking uniform experimental guidelines.
Conclusions:
- MR microscopy offers significant potential for advancing neuroscience research, particularly in disease modeling and brain mapping.
- Standardization of MR microscopy experimental protocols is needed to ensure reproducibility and comparability.
- Small animal MR imaging provides valuable biological insights into neurological processes and diseases.