Animal Imaging MRI

Overview of Services

The major MRI instrumentations are the 7.0T 30-cm bore and 9.4T 20-cm Bruker Avance USR system. The scanners are equipped with a variety of whole RF volume coils, receive only coils, custom-made detection coils, and various gradient inserts. Specific licenses for diffusion imaging (DTI and DWI), fast imaging have also been purchased.  Major MRI services primarily focus on screening mice for tumors and evaluating response to novel therapeutics.  Most of the imaging services involve novel transgenic and knockout mice, although orthotopic transplanted xenograft tumors (prostate, brain, liver) are also occasionally studied.  Typical pulse sequences for structural imaging include T1 (spin-lattice relaxation time) or T2 (spin relaxation time) weighted images, ultra high-resolution (< 80 mm voxel resolution) 3D fixed tissue imaging, 3D volume imaging and 3D registered imaging.  In addition to static anatomic imaging, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI studies (including data analysis, measurement of K^trans (transfer constant) and EES (interstitial space) and diffusion imaging are done. Other parametric imaging also includes T1, T2 mapping, diffusion ADC mapping and DTI. The Core is also responsible for animal anesthesia (1.5-2% isoflurane unless the investigator chooses otherwise), physiological monitoring (temperature, cardiac, and respiratory) and gating (cardiac and respiratory).  In addition to providing the investigators with the images in digital forms and reviewing the anatomy upon request, the Core will estimate tumor burden or other anatomic parameters.  More commonly, investigators are shown how to use the available software and do the analysis themselves.  Similarly, various region-of-interest (ROI) analyses, time-activity curve (TAC) analyses (including curve-fitting), compartmental modeling, and multi-modality image registration and fusion; data retrieval, and consultation regarding protocol design are also available.

We have also taken delivery and installed a new PET insert for co-registered simultaneous MR-PET acquisition. The simultaneous MR-PET acquisition is for mouse only. All normal MR protocols are usable for  simultaneous MR-PET acquisition. Static and dynamic PET data can be acquired and analyzed. Minimum 4-hour time period will be reserved for any (or combined) MR-PET studies. For further study or pricing details, please contact us directly.

Hours of Operation

Links and Resources

1. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/14085.cfm

Contacts