Confounding neurodegenerative effects of manganese for in vivo MR imaging in rat models of brain insults

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the long-term consequences of manganese exposure due to the use of manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) in a model of closed head injury, the fluid-percussion injury (FPI) model. Materials and Methods: Two groups of adult male Wistar rats (n = 72) were studied with either MEMRI, whereby rats receive MnCl 2 (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally) 24 hours prior to scanning, or standard MRI (sMRI) with no contrast agent. Rats from both groups underwent FPI or sham injury and were longitudinally assessed for 6 months for neurological toxicity using behavioral tests, EEG recording, and MRI scanning. Results: Regardless of whether they received FPI, MEMRI animals showed..