Christopher Chad Quarles1, John Christopher Gore1
1Institute of Imaging Science, Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI provides measures of tissue hemodynamics but is limited to one measurement per imaging session limiting its use for pharmacological and functional studies. The goal of the present study is to assess the potential of saline for use as a reverse-effect contrast agent for multiple DSC-MRI measurements. This method relies on the reduction of the blood signal intensity using a pre-injection of an iron oxide contrast agent prior to a bolus injection(s) of saline. Saline enhanced the signal intensity by 25% and yielded dynamic time series similar to those measured with a conventional contrast agent