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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Multiple-mouse Neuroanatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: February 27, 2011
Enhanced delineation of white matter structures of the fixed mouse brain using Gd-DTPA in microscopic MRI
Sungheon Kim1, Stephen Pickup, Oliver Hsu
1Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. Sungheon.Kim@nyumc.org
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gadolinium (III) diethyltriaminepenta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) mixed with a fixative on the image contrast between the white and gray matter of the perfusion-fixed mouse brain. A series of microscopic MRI (microMRI) studies using different concentrations of Gd-DTPA were performed at multiple time points to determine the optimal Gd-DTPA concentration and fixation time necessary to maximize the contrast-to-noise ratio between the white and gray matter with relatively short scan time using a three-dimensional gradient-echo pulse sequence. On the basis of the experimental results, high-resolution (39 microm isotropic) images with excellent contrast-to-noise ratio ( approximately 50) were acquired in less than 2 h of scan time after the specimen had been soaked in 10 mM Gd-DTPA for 4 days. Excellent correlation was noted between microMRI and histology in that the microMRI clearly depicted brain regions that were also observed by the Kluver-Barrera stain. The enhanced contrast between the white and gray matter obtained by the proposed microMRI method may facilitate the development of microMRI-based morphological phenotyping methods for mouse models of neurological disorders.
Insights
Gadolinium (III) diethyltriaminepenta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhances microMRI contrast in mouse brains. This method achieves high-resolution images with excellent contrast-to-noise ratios, aiding neurological disorder research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microscopic MRI (microMRI) is crucial for detailed brain analysis.
- Enhancing contrast between white and gray matter is key for accurate interpretation.
- Gadolinium-based contrast agents are widely used in MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Gd-DTPA mixed with fixatives for improving white and gray matter contrast in perfusion-fixed mouse brains.
- To determine optimal Gd-DTPA concentration and fixation time for maximizing contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).
- To achieve high-resolution microMRI with short scan times.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic MRI (microMRI) studies were conducted on perfusion-fixed mouse brains.
- Various concentrations of Gd-DTPA were tested in conjunction with a fixative.
- A 3D gradient-echo pulse sequence was employed to acquire images.
- Image analysis focused on contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between white and gray matter.
Main Results:
- Optimal contrast was achieved by soaking specimens in 10 mM Gd-DTPA for 4 days.
- High-resolution (39 microm isotropic) images with CNR ~50 were acquired in under 2 hours.
- microMRI results showed excellent correlation with histology (Kluver-Barrera stain).
Conclusions:
- The proposed microMRI method significantly enhances white and gray matter contrast in mouse brains.
- This technique allows for high-resolution imaging with efficient scan times.
- Enhanced contrast facilitates microMRI-based morphological phenotyping for neurological disorder models.
