Induced T1, T2 and Phase Changes following Manganese Systemic Administration at 14.1t

Introduction: Manganese Enhanced MRI (MEMRI) has been increasingly used in animal neuroimaging thanks to its T1 shortening properties and the fact that it can enter active voltage gated calcium channels [1]. With the higher magnetic field strengths, while the longitudinal and transverse relaxivity as a function of Mn concentration, r1 and r2*, remain virtually unchanged, the tissues R1 and R2* tend to decrease and increase respectively. Furthermore, the susceptibility induced frequency shift varies linearly with the increase of the magnetic field. Mn, due to its paramagnetism, can thus be exploited using phase imaging to further enhance neural architecture in animal models [2]. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the dynamic evolution of T1, T2* in different regions of the rat brain throughout a Mn systemic administration, follow its uptake at 14.1T and access the impact on phase imaging.