Magnetic nanoparticles as contrast agents for MR imaging - An overview

Following a brief introduction to the basic concepts of relaxation and contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this chapter presents an overview of the use of magnetic nanoparticles as contrast agents for MRI. It covers the basic principles of preparation and characterization, including variable-field relaxometry. II is shown how a detailed understanding of T1 and T2 relaxation by magnetic nanoparticles may aid further magnetopharmaceutical development. While this overview is far from complete because of the rapid recent developments in the field, an attempt is made to give an overview of current applications and future directions of magnetic nanoparticles as MR contrast agent.