Small Animal Imaging Services
Preclinical imaging modalities are used to noninvasively study disease pathophysiology in the brain. Small animal imaging allows us to assess gross anatomical structures as well as changes in cellular and molecular structure and function. Advances in imaging techniques have achieved greater sensitivity and specificity for clinical and biomarker endpoints in animal models, consequently supporting early diagnosis and more efficient disease monitoring. Magnetic resonance imaging, functional ultrasound, and nuclear imaging are translational preclinical imaging methods that bridge preclinical studies in small animals and clinical endpoints.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Preclinical imaging with MRI can improve your efficiency and facilitate the translation from laboratory concept to commercial product. Depending on your study objectives, you can choose anatomical, diffusion, hemodynamic, pharmacological, functional MRI or a combination of these techniques.
Nuclear Imaging Modalities
Small animal imaging using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) modalities generates quantifiable data on therapeutic brain function, metabolism, and compound binding.
Functional Ultrasound Imaging
Functional ultrasound imaging (fUS) is a more recently evolved preclinical imaging modality which provides ultrafast spatial and temporal resolution images of acute or chronic pharmacological manipulations of various neuronal disease models.
Preclinical Imaging Capabilities for Neurological Diseases
For more information on preclinical imaging applications, please download our technical sheet.
Small animal imaging has the potential to dramatically increase the efficiency of lead candidate selection by providing earlier and more highly predictive data, compared with traditional methods. Imaging is also well suited for facilitating translation between preclinical testing and clinical evaluation of drugs. Noninvasive testing methods such as imaging are more easily applied than traditional methods such as histology in more predictive models of disease. Small animal imaging can be easily combined with other testing modalities to provide a multimodal set of endpoints.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Small Animal Imaging
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How is preclinical small animal imaging used for translational studies?
Clinical translation for novel therapeutics can be managed using techniques and tools similar to those used in humans, such as preclinical imaging, as they have great potential for increasing the predictive value of preclinical drug and device studies.
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What is the difference between PET and SPECT imaging?
PET and SPECT imaging are both used to measure metabolic changes and blood flow in the CNS. PET imaging uses 18F, 68Ga or 11C labeled tracers while SPECT imaging uses gamma ray emitters including 99mTc, 111In and 123I.
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Can autoradiography be used for in vivo imaging?
Autoradiography is typically used to measure radioactive compound distribution in ex vivo brain tissues and uses either tritiated radioligands or 35S-GTP-gamma-S.