High resolution small animals dedicated magnetic resonance scanners as a tool for laboratory rodents central nervous system imaging

IntroductionMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive technique applied in medical diagnosis and for studying animal models of human diseases. MRI offers longitudinal in vivo studies without the need to sacrifice animals, thus making data easier to compare. The number of required animals can be limited.AimThe aim of this article was to present the role of dedicated small animal MRI scanners in the management of central nervous system visualization and injury in rodents on the basis of the current literature.Material and methodsHighly specialized animal MRI scanners with a high magnetic field and small bores are used for imaging the nervous system of rodents in vivo. Compared to clinical scanners currently operating at magnetic field strengths of up to 3.0 T, dedicated animal MRI scanners operate at higher field strengths between 4.7 T and 14.1 T.Results and discussionSmall animal imaging results in the reduction of image quality. It is caused by a small signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The way to increase the SNR is to apply a high magnetic field. Animal MRI scanners operating at higher field strengths between 4.7 T and 14.1 T allow researchers to obtain images with high resolution, and with clearly visible structures of rodent neuroanatomy. Although MRI diagnostics is very useful in neurobiological experiments, the major drawback of dedicated animal MRI scanners is their high cost.ConclusionsHigh resolution dedicated small animal scanners of up to 14.1 T are best suited for rodent neuroanatomy imaging as well as for neurobiological experiments and their results.