Abstract
Advent of extrinsic molecular probes, such as superparamagnetic iron oxides, has enabled molecular imaging of experimental animals using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, several MRI techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging, arterial spin labeling, MR spectroscopy, and susceptibility-weighted imaging, can visualize subtle alterations in hydrogen-containing molecules in the central nervous system, and can be applied to cerebrovascular disease assessment. However, further technical advancement, standardization, and cross-validation are necessary to establish clinical significance of these techniques in stroke management.
