Nanostructured T1 MRI contrast agents

Recent advances on new T1 MRI contrast agents using nanostructured materials will be presented. Paramagnetic Gd3+ ions have been immobilized in nanostructured matrices such as liposomes, perfluorocarbons, silica-based nanoparticles, emulsions, and carbon nanotube to generate nanostructured ionic T1 MRI contrast agents with high relaxivity. Inorganic nanoparticles of gadolinium compounds and manganese oxides have been recently developed as new types of T1 MRI contrast agents using the large surface concentration of metal ions with high magnetic moments. Functionalization of these nanostructured T1 contrast agents enabled targeted imaging, multimodal imaging, and simultaneous imaging and drug delivery.