%0 Journal Article
%T Strategies for Optimizing Water-Exchange Rates of Lanthanide-Based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
%A Buddhima N. Siriwardena-Mahanama
%A Matthew J. Allen
%J Molecules
%D 2013
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/molecules18089352
%X This review describes recent advances in strategies for tuning the water-exchange rates of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Water-exchange rates play a critical role in determining the efficiency of contrast agents; consequently, optimization of water-exchange rates, among other parameters, is necessary to achieve high efficiencies. This need has resulted in extensive research efforts to modulate water-exchange rates by chemically altering the coordination environments of the metal complexes that function as contrast agents. The focus of this review is coordination-chemistry-based strategies used to tune the water-exchange rates of lanthanide(III)-based contrast agents for MRI. Emphasis will be given to results published in the 21st century, as well as implications of these strategies on the design of contrast agents.
%K magnetic resonance imaging
%K contrast agents
%K PARACEST
%K water-exchange rate
%U http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/18/8/9352