At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants will be able to

Define and discuss the role of magnetic resonance neuroimaging in investigating the injured spinal cords in mouse and rat;

Describe the equipment required to obtain high resolution magnetic resonance data from rodent spinal cords;

Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of using high field magnetic resonance imaging scanners and inductively-over coupled implantable radio frequency coils;

Identify the magnetic resonance imaging protocols with contrast sensitive to anatomy, structure and function;

Relate the magnetic resonance intensity pattern to the pathophysiological changes in the underlying injures spinal cord tissue;

Identify contrast agents for visualizing the neuronal plasticity and vascular plasticity in injured spinal cords.