Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: December 4, 2016
Visible T1-hyperintensity of the dentate nucleus after multiple administrations of macrocyclic gadolinium-based
Alessandra Splendiani1, Antonella Corridore2, Silvia Torlone2
1Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy. alessandra.splendiani@cc.univaq.it.
Objectives:
To investigate the appearance of visible dentate nucleus (DN) T1-hyperintensity and quantify changes in DN/pons (DN/P) signal intensity (SI) ratio in MS patients after the exclusive administration of macrocyclic GBCAs.
Materials And Methods:
One hundred forty-nine patients with confirmed MS were evaluated. Patients received at least two administrations of gadobutrol (n = 63), gadoterate (n = 57), or both (n = 29). Two experienced neuroradiologists in consensus evaluated unenhanced T1-weighted MR images from all examinations in each patient for evidence of visible DN hyperintensity. Thereafter, SI measurements were made in the left and right DN and pons on unenhanced T1-weighted images from the first and last scans. A two-sample t test compared the DN/P SI ratios for patients with and without visible T1-hyperintensity.
Results:
Visible T1-hyperintensity was observed in 42/149 (28.2%) patients (19 after gadobutrol only, 15 after gadoterate only, 8 after both), typically at the 4th or 5th follow-up exam at 3-4 years after the initial examination. Significant increases in DN/P SI ratio from first to last examination were determined for patients with visible T1-hyperintensity (0.998 ± 0.002 to 1.153 ± 0.016, p < 0.0001 for gadobutrol; 1.003 ± 0.004 to 1.110 ± 0.014, p < 0.0001 for gadoterate; 1.004 ± 0.011 to 1.163 ± 0.032, p = 0.0004 for both) but not for patients without visible T1-hyperintensity (p > 0.05; all groups).
Conclusion:
Multiple injections of gadobutrol and/or gadoterate can lead to visible and quantifiable increases in DN/P SI ratio in some patients with MS.
Related Concept Videos
11:27Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
05:15An Aptamer-based Sensor for Unchelated Gadolinium(III)
06:54MR Molecular Imaging of Prostate Cancer with a Small Molecular CLT1 Peptide Targeted Contrast Agent
13:21Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
07:15In vivo Macrophage Imaging Using MR Targeted Contrast Agent for Longitudinal Evaluation of Septic Arthritis
07:10Direct Intrabronchial Administration to Improve the Selective Agent Deposition Within the Mouse Lung

