Challenges in setting up an ex-vivo brain MRI protocol

Motivation: Help MRI operators and other professionals who plan to acquire ex-vivo brain MRI Goal(s): What are the challenges in setting up an ex-vivo brain MRI protocol?Approach: This abstract shows the challenges faced during the establishment of an ex-vivo brain MRI protocol in a 3-tesla scanner. Results: We organized 2 categories of challenges our team faced: Dealing with motion and with contrast. We have detailed and illustrated each challenge and provided the learning points we thought were important. Impact: Scanning of ex-vivo specimens poses challenges. The literature doesn't present the problems faced in preparation phase. We provide realistic view of these challenges from the perspective of MRI scientists, to help other teams approach this problem with the proper orientation.