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Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Rat Common Carotid Artery
Published on: September 5, 2018
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Characterization of Arterial and Sinus Blood Flow Dynamics in the Rat Brain Using Phase-Contrast MRI
Sidy Fall1,2, Kamel Abderrahim3, Olivier Baledent4,3
1University Centre for Health Research (CURS, PIRMPA), Jules Verne University of Picardy, Amiens, France. sidy.fall@u-picardie.fr.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|March 12, 2026
Summary
Phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) accurately measures rat cerebral blood flow, establishing crucial reference values for major vessels. This technique aids in understanding healthy and diseased brain circulation in rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) is a standard for human cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement.
- Its application for velocity mapping in rat CBF has been limited, hindering research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate PC-MRI accuracy for rat CBF velocity mapping.
- To establish normative flow values for key rat cerebral vessels.
Main Methods:
- PC-MRI velocimetry performed on a flow phantom and 12 Sprague Dawley rats.
- Semi-automatic segmentation used for flow quantification and pulsatility index calculation.
Main Results:
- PC-MRI flow measurements showed high agreement with pump-based flow.
- Established reference flow values (ml/min): ICA (9.6±3.4), ECA (5.7±2.4), BA (2.0±0.6), Transverse Sinuses (10.5±3.6).
- No significant differences found between cerebral inflow and outflow, or between left and right hemispheres.
Conclusions:
- PC-MRI is accurate for quantifying rat cerebral blood flow.
- Provided reference values are valuable for future rat neurovascular and disease model studies.
