American Journal of Neuroradiology 27:1467-1471, August 2006
© 2006 American Society of Neuroradiology
FUNCTIONAL
Functional Brain Imaging Using a Long Intravenous Half-Life Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent
a From the Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash
Address correspondence to Kenneth R. Maravilla, MD, Dept. of Radiology, Box 357115, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195; e-mail: kmarav{at}u.washington.edu
PURPOSE: We describe a technique for functional MR imaging (fMRI) with high spatial and temporal resolution using a long intravascular half-life gadolinium-based contrast agent, MS-325.
METHODS: All fMRI measurements used a rat model of sensory cortex activation with forepaw electrical stimulation under 
-chloralose anesthesia. Standard blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) fMRI measurement was initially performed. MS-325 was then intravenously administered and a MS-325 fMRI measurement was performed by using a 3D gradient-echo sequence.
RESULTS: We found that a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg MS-325 produced adequate signal intensity changes in rat sensory cortex to demonstrate activations. Using a boxcar stimulation pattern with a standard correlation analysis, the locations of the most significantly activated voxels (ie, highest Z score) in the MS-325 and BOLD fMRI measurements were not significantly different.
CONCLUSIONS: MS-325 fMRI has the advantage of using a T1-weighted sequence, rather than the highly T2*-weighted sequences used in other common fMRI techniques. This could reduce the susceptibility artifacts associated with fMRI.