Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI in Small Animals.

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for studying the cerebral perfusion mechanisms is well proved and contrasted in the clinical and research setups. This methodology is a promising tool in assessing numerous brain diseases like intracranial tumors, neurodegeneration processes, mental disorders, injuries and so on. In the preclinical environment, perfusion MRI offers a powerful resource for characterizing pathological models and specially identifying biomarkers to monitor the illness and validate the efficacy of therapeutical approaches. This chapter presents the theoretical bases and experimental protocols of dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI acquisitions for developing perfusion MRI studies in small animals.