| Magnetic Resonance Imaging is one of most popular medical imaging modalities with the advantages of noninvasive and nondestructive high resolution images. Utilizing high magnetic fields can provide increased signal to noise resolution, but current contrast agents are not optimized for use in fields above 3 T. Several types of contrast agent were investigated to evaluate their potential application for cellular or molecular imaging at high magnetic fields in the future. The results indicated that T1 relaxation agents (gadolinium-based) were best used at lower magnetic field strengths, but two others, T2 relaxation agents (iron oxides) and PARACEST agents, hold great promise for high field contrast generation. These results could be applied to future studies to enhance contrast, gain higher resolution, advance understanding of cellular or molecular function, and contribute towards a dual anatomical-metabolic imaging modality of the future. |
