Nanoparticle-Based Paramagnetic Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging

作者：Juan Pellico, Connor M. Ellis, Jason J. Davis · 发表于：Contrast Media & Molecular Imaging · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.1155/2019/1845637 · 被引用次数：133 · 研究领域：Lanthanide and Transition Metal Complexes、Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics、Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging modality that is routinely used in clinics, providing anatomical information with micron resolution, soft tissue contrast, and deep penetration. Exogenous contrast agents increase image contrast by shortening longitudinal ( T 1 ) and transversal ( T 2 ) relaxation times. Most of the T 1 agents used in clinical MRI are based on paramagnetic lanthanide complexes (largely Gd-based). In moving to translatable formats of reduced toxicity, greater chemical stability, longer circulation times, higher contrast, more controlled functionalisation and additional imaging modalities, considerable effort has been applied to the development of nanoparticles bearing paramagnetic ions. This review summarises the most relevant examples in the synthesis and biomedical applications of paramagnetic nanoparticles as contrast agents for MRI and multimodal imaging. It includes the most recent developments in the field of production of agents with high relaxivities, which are key for effective contrast enhancement, exemplified through clinically relevant examples.