This paper describes results from several new approaches for MR imaging of peripheral nerves. These include magnetization transfer of short T2 components, susceptibility and diffusion anisotropy in the collagen components of nerve as well as differential contrast enhancement with GdDTPA.MR examinations were performed on fresh human median, tibial and sciatic nerve samples and cadaveric forearms at 3T and/or 11.7 T. Pre and post Gd images were obtained on human volunteers in a 3T clinical system. Ultrashort and zero echo time (UTE, ZTE), off-resonance saturation contrast (OSC), susceptibility weighted imaging, magic angle dipolar anisotropy imaging, and diffusion weighted imaging was performed on samples with the 3T and/or the 11.7T system.Use of UTE pulse sequences produced high signal from short and long T2 tissue components in nerve. The epineurium, perineurium and endoneurium/neuronal fiber compartments were easily recognized. Off-resonance saturation including magnetization transfer produced high short T2 tissue contrast (Fig 1). Magic angle effects in different nerve tissue components were demonstrated (Fig. 2). Obvious susceptibility differences between the perineurium and surrounding tissues were evident (Fig. 3). Diffusion contrast attributable to anisotropic restriction in collagen was seen in the perineurium. In Fig. 4 the perineurium is uniformly highlighted in (A), whereas in (B) only the vertical medial and lateral components perpendicular to the sensitization gradient are highlighted (arrow). In (C) the superior and inferior components of the perineurium are highlighted (arrow). These are the regions perpendicular to the Gy sensitization gradient. In (D) the perineurium is isointense with the endoneurium/neuronal fiber component. Diffusion contrast was also apparent in both the epineurium and endoneurium/neuronal fiber complex. Tractography showed directional differences within different tissue components of nerves. Contrast enhancement was separately seen in the epi-, peri and endoneurial/fiber complex of the median nerve in vivo . Over time the epi- and perineurium signal differences converged (Fig. 5). The rat sciatic nerve showed similar features to human nerve. Fixation produced a reduction in T1 and T2 in each of the neural components.Application of MR techniques used elsewhere in the body, and the use of MR microscopy show a variety of new imaging findings in peripheral nerve that have not been described previously^1-3. These approaches are likely to improve understanding of the MR appearances of peripheral nerve and lead to improved experimental and clinical studies