Quantitative susceptibility mapping of the common marmoset brain at 9.4 T

Motivation: Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) is still not widely employed in non-human primates (NHP). Although it has been recently applied to cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, little attention has been given to other NHPs like marmosets. Goal(s): Our goal was to establish QSM in marmosets at 9.4 T. Approach: We conducted high-field MRI on 33 healthy marmosets to achieve superior spatial resolution and sensitivity. We evaluated the contrast-to-noise ratio in the QSM map for four subcortical structures and generated cortex intensity profiles. Results: In the marmoset brain, QSM provided excellent contrast of subcortical structure, various white matter tracts, and the cortex. Impact: Establishing QSM in marmosets may be helpful to those interested in comprehending brain tissue structure and organization, refining brain parcellation, and facilitating procedures like MRI-guided stereotactic surgery, injections, and precise neuronal targeting.