Molecular MR Imaging

Moon, Woo Kyung

doi:2004.47.2.133

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 47(2); 2004 > Article

Special Issue

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2004;47(2):133-138.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2004.47.2.133

Molecular MR Imaging

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital, Korea. moonwk@radcom.snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has emerged as a leading technique in molecular imaging science be-cause it provides highresolution threedimension maps of the living subject. Differential contrast in soft tissues depends on endogenous differences in water content, relaxation times, and diffusion characteristics of the tissue of interest. To increase the intrinsic contrast generated in an MR image, paramagnetic or superparamagnetic complexes are used to develop new contrast agents that can target the specific molecular marker of the cells or can be activated to report on the physiological status or metabolic activity of biological systems. The future of molecular MR imaging is promising as advancements in hardware, contrast agents, and image acquisition methods coalesce to bring high resolution in vivo imaging to the biochemical sciences and to patient care.

Key Words: Molecular imaging, Magnetic resonance imaging, Contrast agents