The concentration of Hydrogen atoms in water molecules or in some groups of fat molecules within tissue. Initial MR signal amplitudes are directly related to H+ density in the tissue being imaged.

Intravenous contrast agents used in MRI are distributed in the extracellular spaces of the body before being excreted. In this sense they are similar to iodinated X-ray contrast media. However, contrast agents used for MRI are quite different from conventional radiographic contrast media in structure and function and there is no known cross sensitivity between these types of contrast agents. Common MRI contrast agents use metal ions (e.g., gadolinium or manganese) complexed with organic molecules.
Gd-DTPA, an ionic linear molecule complex (gadopentetate dimeglumine) was the first marketed MRI contrast agent. Although the osmolality of this substances can be relatively high (up to 1940 mOsm/kg H2O) compared with plasma, adverse reactions and side effects are very rare. The used doses are smaller compared with radiographic contrast media.

See also Nonionic Intravenous Contrast Agents, Dotarem®, and Magnevist®.

(MR) Resonance phenomenon resulting in the absorption and/or emission of electromagnetic energy by nuclei (for that reason also nuclear magnetic resonance) or electrons in a static magnetic field, after excitation by a suitable RF magnetic field.
The peak resonance frequency is proportional to the magnetic field, and is given by the Larmor equation. Only unpaired electrons or nuclei with a spin exhibit magnetic resonance. The absorption or emission of energy by atomic nuclei in an external magnetic field after the application of RF excitation pulses using frequencies, which satisfy the conditions of the Larmor equation.
The magnetic resonance phenomenon may be used in one of these ways:
By manipulation of the external field (application of gradient fields), the resonance frequency can become dependent on spatial location, and hence images may be generated (MRI).
The effect of the electron cloud in any atom or molecule is to slightly shield the nucleus from the external field, thus giving any chemical species a characteristic frequency. This gives rise to 'spectra' where nuclei in a molecule give rise to specific signals, thus facilitating the detection of individual chemicals by means of their frequency spectra (MRS)

Radiographic low-osmolar nonionic contrast agents have less side effects and fewer nephrotoxicity than ionic, high-osmolar agents. Gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents have a different formulation from iodinated X-ray contrast media, and there is no known cross sensitivity between these two types of contrast agents. Intravenous MRI contrast agents, specifically the gadolinium chelates have a high safety and lack of nephrotoxicity compared with X-ray contrast media.
The used gadolinium chelates differ in following properties: linear (e.g., gadodiamide and gadoversetamide have nonionic linear structures) vs. macrocyclic cores, and ionic vs. nonionic types. The nonionic molecules have lower osmolality and viscosity, which increase digestibility at greater concentrations, and make faster bolus injections conceivable. The macrocyclic molecules (e.g., gadoteridol has a nonionic macrocyclic ring structure) are more stable and show fewer tendencies to dissociate free Gd.

See also ProHance®, Omniscan®, OptiMARK®, Ionic Intravenous Contrast Agents.

See also the related poll result: 'MRI will have replaced 50% of x-ray exams by'

Reciprocals of the relaxation times, T1 and T2 (R1 = 1/T1 and R2 = 1/T2). There is often a linear relation between the concentration of MR contrast agents and the resulting change in relaxation rate. The rate of relaxation is influenced by molecules with protons that are tumbling. A slower tumble rate will result in faster relaxation rate (shorter relaxation time). Due to the molecular structure of fat with its larger size than water, fat will tumble slower than water molecules. The slower tumble rate of fat enables a faster relaxation rate.