Mouse MRI: Concepts and Applications in Physiology

• Published in: Physiology (Bethesda, Md.) Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 168 - 175
• Main Author: Pautler, Robia G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Am Physiological Soc 01-08-2004
• Subjects: Animals; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - trends; Mice; Physiology - instrumentation
• ISSN: 1548-9213; 1548-9221
• DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00016.2004

Robia G. Pautler
Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
rpautler{at}bcm.tmc.edu
The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to the rapidly expanding field of mouse magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is by no means meant to be all-inclusive but rather to provide a brief introduction to the basics of MRI theory, provide some insight into the basic experiments that can be performed in mice by using MRI, and bring to light some factors to consider when planning a mouse MRI experiment.
* As B 0 increases, the signal-to-noise ratio will improve. For mouse MRI imaging, it is best to minimally have a B 0 of at least 4.7 T and preferably at least 7.0 T. Incidentally, horizontal scanners are preferable to vertical scanners for the obvious reason that it is easier to lay the animal prone rather than have it suspended by its teeth.