Translational MRI in CNS Drug Discovery

Translational neuroimaging has the potential to create a more successful link between preclinical and clinical research, thereby improving the predictivity of animal models and the development of innovative therapeutics. In this review, the emphasis is on “back translation”: how can clinical imaging data be best utilized to enhance preclinical drug discovery programs? Examples selected in the fields of Alzheimer’s disease and Schizophrenia elucidate the great potential – as well as some pitfalls – of translational MRI in CNS drug discovery.