Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) of rat brain after systemic administration of MnCl2: Hippocampal signal enhancement without disruption of hippocampus-dependent behavior

▶ Manganese, at 200 μmol/kg, enhances hippocampal MR signal in Lister hooded rats. ▶ Acute peripheral effects subside within 30 min, but slightly reduced weight-growth for >2 weeks. ▶ Hippocampus-dependent behavior on a rapid place learning task is unaffected. ▶ Manganese-enhanced MRI may be combined with behavioral analysis of hippocampal function.