[Imaging and quantitative measurement of brain extracellular space using MRI Gd-DTPA tracer method].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the diffusion of Gd-DTPA in brain extracellular space (ECS) by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and investigate the feasibility of ECS measurement by using MRI tracer method in vivo.


METHODS
2 microL Gd-DTPA was introduced into ECS by caudate nucleus according to stereotaxic atlas in 8 Sprague Dawley(SD) rats (male, 280-320 g). The MRI scans were performed at 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 9 h and 12 h respectively after administration. MRI appearances of Gd-DTPA diffusion and distribution was observed and compared. The MRI signal enhancement was measured at each time point. The neuroethology assessment was performed after MRI scanning at 12 h.


RESULTS
The injection was accurate at the center of the caudate nucleus in 6 rats, while, at the capsula externa in other 2 rats. Gd-DTPA diffused isotropically after it was introduced into caudate nucleus, which spread into lateral cortex at 3 h. The MRI signal enhancement distributed mainly in the middle cerebral artery territory. A significant difference was found between the signal enhancement ratio at 1 h and that at 3 h in the original point of caudate nucleus (t=95.63, P<0.01), and the signal enhancement attenuated following the exponential power function y=1.7886x(-0.1776) (R2=0.94). In 2 rats with the injection point at capsula externa, Gd-DTPA diffused anisotropically along the fiber track of white matter during 1 h to 3 h, and spread into the lateral cortex at 6 h.


CONCLUSIONS
The diffusion and clearance of Gd-DTPA in brain ECS could be monitored and measured quantitatively in vivo by MRI tracer method.
He
Qing-yuan
QY
Department of Radiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
Han
Hong-bin
HB
Xu
Fang-jing-wei
FJ
Yan
Jun-hao
JH
Zeng
Jin-jin
JJ
Li
Xiao-gang
XG
Fu
Yu
Y
Peng
Yun
Y
Chen
He
H
Hou
Chao
C
Xu
Xiao-juan
XJ
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000166:cytology; D003287:Contrast Media; D005110:Extracellular Space; D005682:Gadolinium; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D003287:Contrast Media; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium