3D Real-Time Magnetic Particle Imaging of Cerebral Blood Flow in Living Mice

Introduction Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a new tomographic imaging modality that directly and quantitatively images the concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles without anatomical background signal [1]. It combines high sensitivity [2,3] with the ability of fast volumetric imaging. Recently, 3D real-time MPI of the blood flow through the heart and lung of mice has been demonstrated [4] using a clinically approved MRI contrast agent. In this contribution, the cerebral blood flow in living mice is imaged, revealing dynamic information at a rate of 46 volumes per second.