CENIR–SA MRI :small animal MRI core facility

The SA MRI core facility is part of the Center for Neuroimaging Research (CENIR). This platform is dedicated to imaging experimental models of diseases (mainly rodents and potentially any species small enough to fit inside the magnet). A very high magnetic field, associated with high quality probes (Cryoprobe™ for mice), a wide range of imaging protocols and support to data analysis, bring the quality needed for a small animal MRI core facility. CENIR–SA MRI is part of the Institut du Cerveau – ICM core facility network (PHENO-Institut du Cerveau – ICMice, PHENO-PRIMR…) which facilitates translational research projects.

ACTIVITIES

• Basic neuroscience: brain neuroanatomy and function, evaluation of new biomarkers
• Applied neuroscience: characterization and evaluation of experimental models, disease progression, therapeutical drug effects
• MR microscopy: very high resolution imaging of post-mortem biological samples
• Image processing: development of data processing methods and tools for functional and structural neuroimaging of small animals

EQUIPMENT

• 11.7T MRI system: horizontal bore magnet, 16-cm inner diameter (Bruker Biospec 117/16USR, Avance III), BGA9-S gradients with Autopac motorized positioning system
• RF coils: ¹H Cryoprobe™ for mouse head, ¹H surface and volume coils for rats and mice, double tuning ¹H/¹³C and ¹H/³¹P surface coils squirrel monkey coil and cradle
• Animal cradles: all animal cradles are equipped with a tooth bar, a nose cone for gas anaesthesia delivery, ear bars and an integrated heating system
• Anaesthesia and drug delivery systems
• Animal physiological monitoring systems
• Image Guided Therapy System: Ultrasound system that allows in vivo blood-brain barrier opening in mice and rats as well as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for therapy.

CONTACT

cenir-mrisa@icm-institute.org