Three‐dimensional MRI microscopy of the normal rat brain

TLDR

MRI techniques have been developed to image the live rat brain with 1.2‑mm slices and 115 × 115 µm pixels, achieving sufficient SNR using subject‑specific coils and 3D Fourier spin‑warp imaging. The method produces 16 contiguous 1.2‑mm slices that, when correlated with fixed specimens, allow clear identification of gray and white matter structures such as the hippocampus, hypothalamus, corpus callosum, substantia nigra, and several brainstem nuclei. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.

Abstract

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging techniques have been developed to enable imaging of the live rat brain with thin (1.2‐mm) slices and microscopic pixels (115 × 115 μm). Signal‐to‐noise ratios high enough to realize the microscopic resolution are obtained with of coils designed for the subject and through the use of three dimensional Fourier spin warp imaging. The technique yields 16 contiguous slices. Correlation with fixed pathologic specimens enables unequivocal identification of gray and white matter structures in the brain of a live 200‐g rat. Structures clearly visible in the MR images include Ammon's horn, the hypothalamus, corpus callosum and substantia nigra, as well as a number of brainstem nuclei. © 1987 Academic Press, Inc.