Abstract:

Restorative cell-based therapies for experimental brain injury, such as stroke and traumatic brain injury, substantially improve functional outcome. We discuss and review state of the art magnetic resonance imaging methodologies and their applications related to cell-based treatment after brain injury. We focus on the potential of magnetic resonance imaging technique and its associated challenges to obtain useful new information related to cell migration, distribution, and quantitation, as well as vascular and neuronal remodeling in response to cell-based therapy after brain injury. The noninvasive nature of imaging might more readily help with translation of cell-based therapy from the laboratory to the clinic.

Key words: stroke, traumatic brain injury, traumatic brain injury, MRI, cell therapy, cell labeling, vascular remodeling, axonal remodeling, angiogenesis, neuronal plasticity, cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, blood brain barrier permeability, diffusion tensor MRI