ISMRM21 - Preclinical MRI: Animal Handling & Monitoring in Preclinical MR

Preclinical MRI: Animal Handling & Monitoring in Preclinical MR

Sunrise Session

ORGANIZERS: Christoffer Laustsen, Alan Koretsky, Harish Poptani

Monday, 17 May 2021

Concurrent 7

16:00 - 17:00

Moderators: Kerstin Timm & Shella Keilholz

Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Session Number: S-01c

Parent Session: Preclinical MRI

Session Number: S-01c

Overview
Optimal animal handling and monitoring is crucial for good data in preclinical MR research. This session will focus on rodent and large animal handling for MR research.

Target Audience
The session is aimed at a wider audience and is not organ- or disease-specific and should be of interest to students/physicians and researchers interested in preclinical applications.

Educational Objectives
As a result of attending this course, participants should be able to:
- Recognize the value of optimal animal handling and monitoring for MR research;
- Recognize the implications of sub-optimal animal handling and monitoring for MR research; and
- Recognize the limitations of small and large animal research.

		Preclinical MRI Research in Non-Human Primates Watch the Video Afonso Silva Preclinical MRI research of non-human primates brings in several advantages compared to humans. They allow comprehensive, multimodal investigations on the neural origins of functional hemodynamic signals, selective activation or inhibition of specific brain regions to understand their roles in complex processes such as perception and cognition, and the investigation of neural circuits with cell specificity. NHP can be imaged in state-of-the-art MRI systems with high SNR, spatial, and temporal resolution. The primary challenges are (1) anesthesia as a major confound for fMRI studies, and (2) the need to train/habituate the animals to perform specialized tasks while restrained.
		Animal Handling & Monitoring in Preclinical MR Watch the Video Iris Zhou Preclinical MR imaging make valuable contributions to improving our understanding of human diseases, ranging from insights into the molecular/cellular underpinnings of a disorder, to structural and functional manifestations, to the development of novel pharmacotherapeutic treatment approaches. However, the use of imaging procedures, such as anesthesia, animal preparation (e.g., fasting, premedication), blood sampling, and contrast agent injections can affect animal physiology, and entails potential health risks. We will discuss the challenges associated with setting up and carrying out preclinical MRI procedures, addressing the protocols related to animal handling, induction and maintenance of anesthesia and physiological monitoring, to maximize efficacious data.