Introduction to Neuroimaging

The Emerging Applications of Nanotechnology in Neuroimaging: A Comprehensive Review

Neuroimaging modalities such as computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have greatly improved in their ability to achieve higher spatial resolution of neurovascular and soft tissue neuroanatomy, allowing for increased accuracy in the diagnosis of neurological conditions. However, the use of conventional contrast agents that have short tissue retention time and associated renal toxicities, or expensive radioisotope tracers that are not widely available, continue to limit the sensitivity of these imaging modalities. Nanoparticles can potentially address these shortcomings by enhancing tissue retention and improving signal intensity in the brain and neural axis. In this review, we discuss the use of different types of nanotechnology to improve the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of neurological diseases.

Contrast Agents Delivery: An Up-to-Date Review of Nanodiagnostics in Neuroimaging

Neuroimaging is a highly important field of neuroscience, with direct implications for the early diagnosis and progression monitoring of brain-associated diseases. Neuroimaging techniques are categorized into structural, functional and molecular neuroimaging, each possessing advantages and disadvantages in terms of resolution, invasiveness, toxicity of contrast agents and costs. Nanotechnology-based approaches for neuroimaging mostly involve the development of nanocarriers for incorporating contrast agents or the use of nanomaterials as imaging agents. Inorganic and organic nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, nanobodies and quantum dots are some of the most studied candidates for the delivery of contrast agents for neuroimaging. This paper focuses on describing the conventional modalities used for imaging and the applications of nanotechnology for developing novel strategies for neuroimaging. The aim is to highlight the roles of nanocarriers for enhancing and/or overcome the limitations associated with the most commonly utilized neuroimaging modalities. For future directions, several techniques that could benefit from the increased contrast induced by using imaging probes are presented.

Gadobutrol: A Review in Contrast-Enhanced MRI and MRA

Intravenous gadobutrol [Gadovist^™ (EU); Gadavist^® (USA)] is a second-generation, extracellular non-ionic macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) that is approved for use in paediatric (including term neonates) and adult patients undergoing diagnostic contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI for visualization of pathological lesions in all body regions or for CE MRA to evaluate perfusion and flow-related abnormalities. Its unique physicochemical profile, including its high thermostability and proton relaxation times, means that gadobutrol is formulated at twice the gadolinium ion concentration of other GBCAs, resulting in a narrower bolus and consequently, improved dynamic image enhancement. Based on >  20 years of experience in the clinical trial and real-world settings (>  50 million doses) and its low risk for developing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), gadobutrol represents an effective and safe diagnostic GBCA for use in CE MRI and MRA to visualize pathological lesions and vascular perfusion and flow-related abnormalities in all body regions in a broad spectrum of patients, including term neonates and other paediatric patients, young and elderly adult patients, and those with moderate or severe renal or hepatic impairment or cardiovascular (CV) disease.