Abstract
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) can provide a noninvasive way for assessing renal functional information following the administration of a small molecular weight gadolinium-based contrast agent. This method may be useful for investigating renal perfusion and glomerular filtration rates of rodents in vivo under various experimental (patho)physiological conditions. Here we describe a step-by-step protocol for DCE-MRI studies in small animals providing practical notes on acquisition parameters, sequences, T1 mapping approaches and procedures.This chapters is based upon work from the COST Action PARENCHIMA, a community-driven network funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, which aims to improve the reproducibility and standardization of renal MRI biomarkers. This experimental protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concept and data analysis.
Highlights
Key words Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Kidney, Mice, Rats, Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE), Contrast agent, T1 map Kidneys play an important role in fluid regulation, waste products elimination, and homeostasis of salts and pH
Accurate measurement of kidney function is essential for monitoring early renal injuries, disease progression, renal transplantation and in assessing therapeutic efficacy after renal failure [1, 2]
Various MRI techniques have been investigated for assessing renal function, including dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, arterial spin labelling (ASL), blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), sodium imaging, chemical exchange saturation
Summary
Kidneys play an important role in fluid regulation, waste products elimination, and homeostasis of salts and pH. The main purpose of DCE-MRI is to reveal information about extravascular permeability, blood perfusion and compartmental kinetics. This method provides images prior and following the administration of the CA using a continuous image acquisition protocol. We describe step-by-step an experimental dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI protocol for monitoring the passage of a Gd-based tracer in the kidneys of rodents. The rationale for the choosing acquisition parameters is given in generic terms, together with specific parameter examples. This experimental protocol chapter is complemented by two separate chapters describing the basic concepts and data analysis, which are part of this book.
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