ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a simple introduction to magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) emphasizing practical aspects relevant to high magnetic fields. The text is intended for the beginners in the field of MRM or for those planning to incorporate high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in their neuroscience studies. In view of biological applications, it also introduces the Aplysia californica, one of the most used model systems in MRM studies with single-neuron resolution. These applications constitute just a small part of the full panel of possible MRI investigations at the microscopic scale. The choice was dictated primarily by our own expertise in the field. The book discusses the use of MRM for studying biological systems with particular focus on the nervous system. The utility of MRM is of course much broader and includes material and chemical sciences, microfluidics, food industry, and plant physiology.
