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Abstract #0420

T2 Versus T2* Contrast: Strong Differences in MRI of Cortical Layers in Living Mice

Susann Boretius1, 2, Roland Tammer1, 3, Jens Frahm1, 3

1Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH, Max-Planck-Institut fr biophysikalische Chemie, Gttingen, Germany; 2Klinik fr Diagnostische Radiologie, Universittsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; 3DFG Center of Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CMPB), Gttingen, Germany

Application of genetically modified mice generates an increasing demand for in vivo detection of the fine-structure of the brain. While optimized T2-weighted MRI demonstrated 5 layer-like cerebral microstructures in living mice, this work shows that T2*-weighted MRI did not reveal that kind of cortical fine-structure. However, in the cerebellum, the myelinated white matter could be better distinguished from the granular layer on T2*-weighted images. These results suggest that, in contrast to humans, iron and myelin may not be the predominant sources of cortical gray matter contrast in mice.

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