Assessment of kainate toxicity using contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study was to test the capability of contrast enhanced m agnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing lesion formation in rat brain after systemic (i.v.) administration of kainate. MRI was performed with T-1 -weighted spin echo sequence before and after the administration of kainate and contrast media. Contrast media used were based on paramagnetic gadolin ium (III) ion: Gd-DTPA (gadoliniumdiethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid) and prototype agents for blood-pool enhancement. Gadomer-17 and polylysine-Gd-D TPA. Enhancement of lesion rims and other brain tissue abnormalities due to kainate with Gd-DTPA, Gadomer-17 and polylysine-Gd-DTPA were observed main ly in the region of hippocampus and in the areas not protected by the blood -brain-barrier (BBB).