High-Resolution MR Microscopy of Mouse Spinal Cord at 15.2 T

Motivation: The research aims to overcome the challenges of performing microscopy to assess the microstructure of mouse spinal cords at high spatial resolution. Goal(s): Our goal is to develop a micro-solenoid radiofrequency circuit, which combined with ultra-high field strength and fast imaging sequences, including diffusion MRI, can achieve microscopic-resolution images. Approach: The study involves the development of a micro-solenoid transceiver coil, and imaging at 15.2 T using fast diffusion imaging sequences to achieve images of excised specimens at microscopic resolution. Results: The micro-solenoid radiofrequency circuit significantly improved SNR, enabling high-resolution imaging and accurate data sets for implementing diffusion models at micron-scale resolution. Impact: High-resolution diffusion imaging may provide estimates of diffusion parameters at a scale more commensurate with the microstructure of the spinal cord than in vivo acquisitions. This will be useful for validating models of water diffusion in complex environments neuronal tissue.