title: Assessment of kainate toxicity using contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to test the capability of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing lesion formation in rat brain after systemic (i.v.) administration of kainate. MRI was performed with T1-weighted spin echo sequence before and after the administration of kainate and contrast media. Contrast media used were based on paramagnetic gadolinium (III) ion: Gd-DTPA (gadoliniumdiethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid) and prototype agents for blood-pool enhancement Gadomer-17 and polylysine-Gd-DTPA. Enhancement of lesion rims and other brain tissue abnormalities due to kainate with Gd-DTPA, Gadomer-17 and polylysine-Gd-DTPA were observed mainly in the region of hippocampus and in the areas not protected by the blood-brain-barrier (BBB).
authors.affiliation: Institute "Jožef Stefan", Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beravs
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frangež
authors.affiliation: Institute "Jožef Stefan", Jamova 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Franci
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Demsar
keywords: CNS; Key words kainate; magnetic resonance imaging contrast media