What is it about?
Since transverse (T2) and longitudinal (T1) relaxation times play an important role in optimizing MRI parameters [e.g., contrast level, signal-to-noise ratio], we measured these values for the first time in awake pigeons and rats. In addition, anesthesia drugs strongly confound MRI results. To overcome this effect, we optimized the habituation protocol which successfully limited movement of the awake animals to a negligible minimum, allowing reliable measurement of T1 and T2 values within all regions of interest.
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Why is it important?
The obtained T1 and T2 values for awake pigeons and rats and the optimized habituation protocol will help to optimize future MRI studies with awake animals. The differences in relaxation times observed between species underline the importance of the acquisition of T1/T2 values as reference points for specific experiments.
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This page is a summary of: In vivo measurement of T1
and T2
relaxation times in awake pigeon and rat brains at 7T, Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, May 2017, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26722.
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