Characterisation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents using NMR relaxometry

ABSTRACT

This contribution describes the use of Fast Field-cycling relaxometry (FFC-NMR) for the characterisation of Gd(III)- and Mn(II)-based contrast agents for MRI. Through a series of selected examples, we analyse the role of different structural and dynamic parameters on ¹H relaxivity and on the shape of the ¹H Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) profiles. The amplitude and shape of the profiles is affected by the number of water molecules coordinated to the metal ion, the water exchange rate, the rotational correlation time of the complex and the relaxation of the electron spin. As a result, ¹H NMRD profiles represent a powerful tool for the understanding of the properties of MRI contrast agent candidates at the molecular level.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Gadolinium
• NMR
• relaxometry
• MRI
• manganese

ORCID

Mauro Botta http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4192-355X

Additional information

Funding

This study was performed under the auspices of COST Action CA15209 ‘EURELAX’. MB is grateful to Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale for financial support (Ricerca locale 2016). D.E.-G. and C.P.-I. thank the support by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) under Grant CTQ2016-76756-P; Xunta de Galicia under Grants ED431B 2017/59 and ED431D2017/01.