Perspectives of in Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cell Dynamics in the Brain

Abstract

MRI is an established diagnostic tool, but it also has great attraction for use in experimental research, particularly in neuroscience and neurology. In vivo imaging of specific cell populations in the brain is particularly attractive for furthering understanding of cell behavior in animal models of neurological disease and injury. Approaches towards this end typically make use of iron oxide nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents. These contrast agents can be taken up by peripheral inflammatory cells, by endogenous CNS cell populations, or by in vitro cell cultures for transplantation experiments. Molecular imaging of functional cell status, using MRI in combination with molecular biology, is a rapidly expanding field with great promise. The present review summarizes the current status of cellular MRI in the brain in the context of ischemia models, and relevant issues and approaches that aim to improve translation of cell therapy strategies into the clinic.