3-Dimensional visualization of lesions in rat brain using magnetic resonance imaging microscopy

HIGH-RESOLUTION (< 50 mu m) magnetic resonance imaging microscopy (MRM) has been used to identify brain regions and localization of excitotoxin-induce d lesions in fixed rat brains, subsequently confirmed using standard histol ogy. The anatomical extent of lesions identified by MRM Nas identical to th at seen in histological sections and various histopathological changes coul d be visualized. In contrast to the time involved in preparing and examinin g histological sections, lesions in intact brains could be rapidly identifi ed and visualized in three dimensions by examining digitally generated sect ions in any plane. This study shows that MRM has tremendous potential as a prescreening tool for neurotoxicity and neuropathology. These observations suggest that MRM has the potential to affect pathology much as conventional MRI has influenced clinical imaging. NeuroReport 10:737-741 (C) 1999 Lippi ncott Williams & Wilkins.