A non-toxic ligand for voxel-based MRI analysis of plaques in AD transgenic mice.

Amyloid plaques are a characteristic feature in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A novel non-toxic contrast agent is presented, Gd-DTPA-K6Abeta1-30, which is homologous to Abeta, and allows plaque detection in vivo. microMRI was performed on AD model mice and controls prior to and following intracarotid injection with Gd-DTPA-K6Abeta1-30 in mannitol solution, to transiently open the blood-brain barrier.

Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) of mouse brain development.

Given the importance of genetically modified mice in studies of mammalian brain development and human congenital brain diseases, MRI has the potential to provide an efficient in vivo approach for analyzing mutant phenotypes in the early postnatal mouse brain. The combination of reduced tissue contrast at the high magnetic fields required for mice, and the changing cellular composition of the developing mouse brain make it difficult to optimize MRI contrast in neonatal mouse imaging. We have explored an easily implemented approach for contrast-enhanced imaging, using systemically administered manganese (Mn) to reveal fine anatomical detail in T1-weighted MR images of neonatal mouse brains.