Whole body MRI of the non-human primate using a clinical 3T scanner: initial experiences

Abstract

With the advent of parallel imaging MRI techniques, whole-body MRI is being increasingly used in clinical diagnosis. However, its application in preclinical research using large animals remains very limited. In the present study, the whole-body MRI techniques for adult macaque monkeys were explored using a conventional clinic 3T scanner. The T1, T2 anatomical images, and MR angiography of adult macaque whole bodies were illustrated. The preliminary results suggest whole-body MRI can be a robust tool to examine multiple organs of non-human primate (NHP) models from head to toe non-invasively and simultaneously using a conventional clinical setting. As NHPs are intensely used in biomedical research such as HIV/AIDS and vaccine discovery, whole body MRI techniques can have a wide range of applications in translational research using NHPs.

Imaging and spectroscopic methods to investigate adult neurogenesis in vivo: New models and new avenues

“…3T and using whole-body MR features such as parallel imaging further enforcing the usefulness of NHPs for translational research (Li and Zhang, 2017). In addition, NHP models can be used effectively to investigate neural circuitry with cutting-edge technologies such as optogenetics (Senova et al, 2018), which that can be coupled with MRI techniques to identify specific anatomical targets for further stimulation therapy.…”