In vivo determination of body composition of rats using magnetic resonance imaging.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has potential as an instrument to measure body composition because it can discriminate various soft tissues in vivo. These soft tissues include adipose tissue, muscle, organs, and brain. We report on preliminary studies using a 4.2-tesla MRI for measuring body composition in the mouse and rat. We employed image segmentation methods that include an image correction method, a necessary requirement when the images are taken in the presence of nonuniform radio-frequency (RF) coil response. The software for 3-D data segmentation, quantification, correction, image manipulation, and visualization has been developed as a research tool. This method currently is being validated.
Tang
H
H
Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University, New York, New York 10025, USA. ht145@columbia.edu
Vasselli
J
J
Wu
E
E
Gallagher
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011846:Radio Waves; D051381:Rats / Q000033:anatomy & histology*