MRI Toolbox for Rodent Brain Microstructure Imaging

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案的总体目标是开发和传播磁共振成像（MRI）工具，以识别和表征小动物的神经元微结构。MRI是此类研究的理想模式，因为它可以在体内非侵入性地应用或在体外非破坏性地应用，并且可以提供整个大脑的3D评估。我们将在多个供应商平台上开发和测试标准化MRI脉冲序列，并开发易于生产和标准化的质量保证体模和相关成像协议。将开发自动化和优化的图像重建和定量显微结构参数绘图软件，并作为开放源码软件传播。一个严格的算法框架，规划优化，多目标成像协议将开发和实施开源多平台软件。一系列实验研究将建立正常和异常大鼠和小鼠大脑中各种神经元显微结构特性图的概率体积，沿着定量评价选择的大脑白色物质区域的组织学。在整个项目中，将开发和测试新的MRI方法，各种最先进的方法将被标准化和优化，MRI数据与组织学的比较将提供新的见解，在白色物质的MRI对比的微观解剖基础。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overarching aim of this proposal is to develop and disseminate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tools to identify and characterize neuronal microstructure in small animals. MRI is an ideal modality for such studies because it can be applied non-invasively in vivo or non-destructively ex vivo, and can provide 3D evaluation across the entire brain. We will develop and test standardized MRI pulse sequences across multiple vendor platforms and develop an easily produced and standardized quality-assurance phantom and associated imaging protocol. Automated and optimized image reconstruction and quantitative microstructural parameter mapping software will be developed and disseminated as open source. A rigorous algorithmic framework for planning statistically-optimized, multi-objective imaging protocols will be developed and implemented in open source multi-platform software. A series of experimental studies will establish probabilistic volumes of a variety of neuronal microstructural property maps in normal and abnormal rat and mouse brains, along with quantitatively evaluated histology of select cerebral white matter regions. Throughout the project, novel MRI methods will be developed and tested, a variety of state-of-the-art methods will be standardized and optimized, and comparisons of MRI data with histology will offer novel insights in the micro anatomical basis of MRI contrast in white matter.