Relaxivity optimization of a PEGylated iron-oxide-based negative magnetic resonance contrast agent for T₂-weighted spin-echo imaging

ACS Nano. 2012 Feb 28;6(2):1619-24. doi: 10.1021/nn204591r. Epub 2012 Jan 31.

Abstract

Concerning the outer sphere relaxation theory, the sensitivity of a T(2) MRI contrast agent, expressed by the transverse relaxivity r(2), depends on the diffusion length of water molecules relative to the particle size. For T(2)-weighted spin-echo imaging, theoretical concepts reveal three regimes regarding the r(2) relaxivity depending on the nanocrystal size: the motional averaging regime (MAR), the static dephasing regime (SDR), and the echo-limiting regime (ELR). The r(2) maximum corresponds to the SDR, which represents a small size regime. To verify the theoretical concepts and to adjust the SDR, tailor-made T(2) contrast agents were synthesized by controlled self-assembly of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals (SPIOs) into raspberry-like nanoclusters with diameters of 30-200 nm using a PEG-based ligand. The results highlight an opportunity to optimize the relaxivity of T(2) contrast agents by tuning the cluster size of SPIO nanocrystals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media / chemistry*
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide
  • Polyethylene Glycols