MRI Characterization of Progressive Brain Alterations After Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury: Region Specific Tissue Damage, Hemodynamic Changes and Axonal Injury

Abstract

In this chapter we describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although studied in a rodent model, these findings correspond closely to those seen in patients. The experimental study setup allows mapping of the spatio-temporal interrelations of different pathological features in the injured brain as well as correlation of non-invasive MRI results with tissue histochemistry data. We combine the information provided by some selected MRI techniques to characterize the interplay between structural and hemodynamic changes.