This study aimed to image atherosclerotic plaques in the aortas of Apo E deficient mice using MRI. To visualize the aorta, contrast agent was injected into mice both while inside and outside of the MRI scanner. Respiratory gating was used to reduce motion artifacts from breathing by intubating mice and providing ventilation. Initial scans showed the aorta but more optimization is needed, such as decreasing the dose of iron contrast agent used and adding ECG gating to address motion from the heart. Future plans include further refining the MRI protocol and beginning a similar study in rabbits.