Interpolated model-matrix optoacoustic tomography of the mouse brain

Neuroscience investigations may significantly benefit from the availability of accurate imaging methods of brain parameters in small animals. In this letter, we investigate the imaging performance of the recently introduced interpolated model-matrix inversion (IMMI), in quantitative optoacoustic imaging of the mouse head. We compare the findings of the method against back-projection inversion methods that have more commonly been considered. We find that cross-sectional images of the mouse head accurately match anatomical structures seen on cryosliced head images serving as the gold standard. Moreover, superior imaging performance is found for IMMI compared to previously reported optoacoustic imaging of the mouse head. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3579156]