Magnetic resonance microscopy in neurologic models.

Magnetic resonance imaging techniques have been developed to permit imaging with slice thickness less than 1 mm and pixels of 50 x 50 microns. Special purpose gradient and radiofrequency coils and three-dimensional imaging techniques enable acquisition of images with sufficient signal to noise to utilize these microscopic picture elements. Live 200 g rats were imaged enabling clear definition of gray and white matter structures. Examples include the Sylvian aqueduct and the substantia nigra. Three-dimensional microscopic images of live chick embryos enabled definition of ventricles and brain parenchyma as well as measurement of T1 over the set of 16 contiguous 1.2 mm slices.

Duke Scholars

Author G. Allan Johnson Radiology