As a practical reference guide for designing and performing experiments, this book focuses on the five most common classes of contrast agents for MRI and describes how to characterise and evaluate them. For each class of contrast agents, a description of the theory behind their mechanisms is discussed briefly to orient the new reader. Then detailed subchapters discuss the different physical chemistry methods used to characterise each class of contrast agents in terms of their efficacy, safety and in vivo behavior and their performance. The editors and contributors are at the forefront of research in the field of MRI contrast agents and this unique book is a timely addition to the literature in this area.