Artirem®, the arthrography-specific contrast agent for MRI is a dilute form of Dotarem® with a less concentration of Gd (1:200). Artirem® has to be injected directly into the joints for better visualization and delimitation, of the ligament and tendon structures in particular.

(BTFE) A gradient echo pulse sequence with a balanced gradient waveform and data acquisition after an initial preparation pulse for contrast enhancement.

See Steady State Free Precession (SSFP) and Balanced Sequence.

The brain tissue is provided with a tight endothelial layer on vessels that acts as a filter for substances that reach the brain through the blood stream. This filter is called the blood brain barrier.
The blood brain barrier is responsible for the absence of contrast agent enhancement in normal brain tissue after administration of the iodinated or paramagnetic contrast media used in brain MRI and computed tomography (CT) diagnostic. The absence of contrast uptake in normal tissue provides the basis for differentiation from pathological brain tissue, which is conversely characterized by a disruption of the blood brain barrier.

See also Contrast Enhanced MRI, MRI Safety, Adverse Reaction.

MR imaging techniques capable to provide maps of cerebral activity. All these techniques are based on indirect assessment of local cerebral haemodynamics that have been demonstrated to be closely related to cerebral activity.
Two kinds of techniques have been developed:

Short name: CMC 001, central moiety: Mn2+
CMC 001 is an orally administered MRI contrast agent in development for enhancement of the liver, bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract. Applications are screening of liver tumors/metastases, imaging of the biliary tract and it could be suitable for liver function studies by following the metabolism and excretion of manganese in the liver cells. Several advantages like better images, higher safety, lower costs and less inconvenience for the patient can be expected.
Animal experiments and clinical studies in humans Phase I and Phase II A, have shown excellent contrast enhancing properties with only minimal adverse effects. CMC 001 is under development by the Medicon Valley based CMC Contrast AB to receive a cost effective, safe and highly diagnostic MR contrast medium for abdominal MR imaging. Clinical studies in Phase III are started.