Layer-Specific Manganese-Enhanced MRI of the Retina Associated with Light & Dark Adaptation at 11.7T

Bryan H. DeLaGarza¹, Guang Li¹, Yen-Yu I. Shih¹, Timothy Q. Duong¹

This study used functional manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI at 20x20m) to study the retina under light and dark adaptation. Layer-specific MEMRI of the inner retina, outer retina and the choroid were resolved and they were assigned with independent confirmation of the bounding vascular layers via an intravascular contrast agent. The outer retina had lower MEMRI activity in light compared to dark adaption. The inner retina had higher MEMRI activity in light compared to dark adaption. The choroid MEMRI activity was not statistically different between light and dark adaptation. This approach could have potential applications to probe retinal dysfunction in diseased states.