Shine and darkle the blood vessels: Multiparameter hypersensitive MR angiography for diagnosis of panvascular diseases | Science Advances

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is pivotal for diagnosing panvascular diseases. However, single-modality MRA falls short in diagnosing diverse vascular abnormalities. Thus, contrast agents combining T ₁ and T ₂ effects are sought for multiparameter MRA with clinical promise, yet achieving a balance in T ₁ and T ₂ contrast enhancement effects remains a scientific challenge. Herein, we developed a hypersensitive multiparameter MRA strategy using dual-modality NaGdF ₄ nanoparticles. Because of the longer tumbling time (τ _R ), NaGdF ₄ nanoparticles can improve the longitudinal relaxivity ( r ₁ ), brightening vessels in T ₁ -weighted sequences. Simultaneously, the regular arrangement of Gd ³⁺ in the crystal induces magnetic anisotropy, creating local static magnetic field heterogeneity and generating negative signals in T ₂ -weighted sequences. Consequently, the efficacy of NaGdF ₄ -enhanced high-resolution multiparameter MRA has been validated in diagnosing ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s disease in rodent models. In addition, the dual-contrast imaging has been realized on swine with a clinical 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner, highly emphasizing the clinical translation prospect.