We are requesting funds to purchase a Bruker MRI Cryoprobe upgrade for our existing Bruker 7 Tesla small bore MRI based on the vendor quoted cost of $542,358. The upgrade is comprised of a 4 Element Array Cryoprobe compatible with a Bruker Biospect 7Tesla/20 magnet. The upgrade will include supporting hardware infrastructure comprised of an air cooled He compressor coupled to a Helium Compressor Controller that is linked directly to the Cryo Cooling Unit supplying liquid helium to the Cryoprobe device. The Cryoprobe will provide a 2 to 5 fold increase in system sensitivity (signal/noise ratio) permitting us to acquire data to generate Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) maps for the assessment of neuroinflammation and the integrity of white matter tracts in rodent models of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This technology will not only expand our neuroimaging capabilities but will be utilized as a critical component for neuroimaging assessment when coupled with PET and SPECT neuroimaging data obtained from preclinical models of TBI and PTSD in support of the newly established Open Field Blast Core at the Truman VA Hospital. Beyond greatly enhancing our neuroimaging capabilities, the addition of cryoprobe technology will also support expansion of ongoing cutting edge cardiovascular and theranostic nuclear oncology research programs directly related to veteran care.

Our ability to acquire higher resolution/higher quality in vivo MRI images using a cryobrobe equipped preclinical 7 Tesla MRI system has the potential to improve Veteran health by allowing our clinicians and researchers to obtain non-invasive imaging data to aid in the diagnoses, treatment development, and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy across the spectrum of medical conditions confronting our Veterans including traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cardiovascular disease, and cancer. This technology will be employed as an essential component of our neuroimaging screening protocols in support of the VA’s new Open Field Blast Core established at the Truman VA Medical center. The addition of Cryoprobe technology to the Truman VA Biomolecular Imaging Center will also stimulate new collaborations with clinicians and scientists at our academic affiliate, the University of Missouri, thereby enhancing our capacity to perform state-of-the-art medical research with the direct goal of improving Veteran care.