Dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion imaging of cerebral ischemia in nonhuman primates: comparison of Gd-DTPA and NMS60.

PURPOSE

To study a new gadolinium (Gd) contrast agent-NMS60-for MR perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) of brain tissue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

NMS60 is a Gd3+ trimer with a molecular weight of 2158 Daltons, and a T2 relaxivity almost three times higher than that of Gd-DTPA. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion was induced in nine nonhuman primates. The animals were scanned acutely and for up to six follow-up time points. PWI peak, and time-to-peak maps were generated, and perfusion deficit volumes were measured from these maps. The values of peak, time-to-peak, and perfusion deficit volume were compared between NMS60 and GD-DTPA.

RESULTS

These results demonstrate that there was no significant difference in our calculated perfusion parameters between the two contrast agents.

CONCLUSION

The two agents were found to be equally effective for PWI for acute and chronic stroke in primates. Along with its previously demonstrated advantage for T1-enhanced imaging, the current results show that NMS60 is a viable contrast agent for use in stroke patients.