MEMRI can be used for different applications such as tracing neuronal connections or functional imaging. However, Mn cellular uptake is still unclear. We studied this mechanism by the use of MEMRI in a hippocampal organotypic slice culture. After added Mn to the medium for 2h, we obtained an optimal MR contrast that was affected by Ca channel manipulation. Mn cellular uptake was also affected by the presence of other metals that use divalent metal transporters (DMT-1). Our results suggest a strong capacity of our technique to study the cellular mechanisms related to MEMRI.
