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Pharmaceutical applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

J Craig Richardson1, Richard W Bowtell, Karsten Mäder

  • 1Formulation Insights, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|June 7, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers non-invasive, in situ internal imaging for materials and organisms. Its potential in pharmaceutical sciences, particularly for in vivo drug delivery systems, is significant and largely untapped.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Biomedical Imaging
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a versatile, non-invasive imaging technique.
  • It allows for microscopic and macroscopic internal imaging of materials and living organisms.
  • MRI enables in situ observation of internal events within undisturbed specimens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the underutilization of MRI in pharmaceutical sciences.
  • To explore the existing and potential applications of MRI in pharmaceutical research.
  • To emphasize the value of MRI for in vivo drug delivery investigations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing MRI applications in pharmaceutical sciences.
  • Analysis of in vitro studies focusing on drug release, bioadhesion, and formulation processes.
  • Examination of pilot in vivo human and animal studies for drug delivery systems.

Main Results:

  • Limited application of MRI in pharmaceutical sciences despite its capabilities.
  • Successful in vitro studies on drug release, bioadhesion, and manufacturing processes.
  • Promising pilot studies demonstrating unique insights into in vivo drug delivery behavior.

Conclusions:

  • MRI possesses significant untapped potential in pharmaceutical sciences.
  • In vivo MRI studies offer unique insights into gastrointestinal, topical, colloidal, and targeted drug delivery.
  • Further exploration and application of MRI are recommended for pharmaceutical research and development.

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