1
|
Ni R. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloidosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12768. [PMID: 34884573 PMCID: PMC8657987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Aberrant Aβ accumulation induces neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular alterations, and synaptic deficits, leading to cognitive impairment. Animal models recapitulating the Aβ pathology, such as transgenic, knock-in mouse and rat models, have facilitated the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutics targeting Aβ. There is a rapid advance in high-field MRI in small animals. Versatile high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, such as diffusion tensor imaging, arterial spin labeling, resting-state functional MRI, anatomical MRI, and MR spectroscopy, as well as contrast agents, have been developed for preclinical imaging in animal models. These tools have enabled high-resolution in vivo structural, functional, and molecular readouts with a whole-brain field of view. MRI has been used to visualize non-invasively the Aβ deposits, synaptic deficits, regional brain atrophy, impairment in white matter integrity, functional connectivity, and cerebrovascular and glymphatic system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. Many of the readouts are translational toward clinical MRI applications in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in MRI for visualizing the pathophysiology in amyloidosis animal models. We discuss the outstanding challenges in brain imaging using MRI in small animals and propose future outlook in visualizing Aβ-related alterations in the brains of animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich & University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dong CM, Guo AS, To A, Chan KWY, Chow ASF, Bian L, Leong ATL, Wu EX. Early Detection of Amyloid β Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease by Molecular MRI .. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2020; 2020:1100-1103. [PMID: 33018178 DOI: 10.1109/embc44109.2020.9176013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. Early stage β-amyloid oligomers (AβOs) and late stage Aβ plaques are the pathological hallmarks of AD brains. AβOs are known to be more neurotoxic and contribute to neuronal damage. Most current approaches are focused on detecting Aβ plaques, which occurs at the late stage of AD, and are limited by poor sensitivity and/or contrast agent toxicity. In previous studies, we developed a new curcumin-conjugated magnetic nanoparticle (Cur-MNPs) to target the Aβ pathologies. In this study, we investigate the in vivo feasibility of this novel Cur-MNPs to detect Aβ pathologies at the early and late stages of AD in transgenic AD mice and perform immunohistochemical examinations to validate the specific targeting of various form of Aβ pathologies.
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen L, Wei Z, Chan K, Cai S, Liu G, Lu H, Wong PC, van Zijl PCM, Li T, Xu J. Protein aggregation linked to Alzheimer's disease revealed by saturation transfer MRI. Neuroimage 2019; 188:380-390. [PMID: 30553917 PMCID: PMC6401270 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to develop a molecular biomarker for the detection of protein aggregation involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by exploiting the features of the water saturation transfer spectrum (Z-spectrum), the CEST signal of which is sensitive to the molecular configuration of proteins. A radial-sampling steady-state sequence based ultrashort echo time (UTE) readout was implemented to image the Z-spectrum in the mouse brain, especially the contributions from mobile proteins at the frequency offsets for the composite protein amide proton (+3.6 ppm) and aliphatic proton (-3.6 ppm) signals. Using a relatively weak radiofrequency (RF) saturation amplitude, contributions due to strong magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) from solid-like macromolecules and direct water saturation (DS) were minimized. For practical measure of the changes in the mobile protein configuration, we defined a saturation transfer difference (ΔST) by subtracting the Z-spectral signals at ±3.6 ppm from a control signal at 8 ppm. Phantom studies of glutamate solution, protein (egg white) and hair conditioner show the capability of the proposed scheme to minimize the contributions from amine protons, DS, and MTC, respectively. The ST signal at ±3.6 ppm of the cross-linked bovine serum albumin (BSA) solutions demonstrated that the ΔST signal can be used to monitor the aggregation process of the mobile proteins. High-resolution ΔST images of AD mouse brains at ±3.6 ppm of mouse brains showed significantly reduced ΔST (-3.6) signal compared to the age-matched wild-type (WT) mice. Thus, this signal has potential to serve as a molecular biomarker for monitoring protein aggregation in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhiliang Wei
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kannie Chan
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shuhui Cai
- Department of Electronic Science, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Guanshu Liu
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hanzhang Lu
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Philip C. Wong
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter C. M. van Zijl
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiadi Xu
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mpambani F, Åslund AK, Lerouge F, Nyström S, Reitan N, Huuse EM, Widerøe M, Chaput F, Monnereau C, Andraud C, Lecouvey M, Handrick S, Prokop S, Heppner FL, Nilsson P, Hammarström P, Lindgren M, Parola S. Two-Photon Fluorescence and Magnetic Resonance Specific Imaging of Aβ Amyloid Using Hybrid Nano-GdF3 Contrast Media. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2018; 1:462-472. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.8b00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Mpambani
- Laboratoire de Chimie ENS Lyon, Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5182, 46 allée d’Italie, 69364 Lyon, France
| | - Andreas K.O. Åslund
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- IFM-kemi, Linköpings Universitet, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Frederic Lerouge
- Laboratoire de Chimie ENS Lyon, Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5182, 46 allée d’Italie, 69364 Lyon, France
| | - Sofie Nyström
- IFM-kemi, Linköpings Universitet, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nina Reitan
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Else Marie Huuse
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marius Widerøe
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Frederic Chaput
- Laboratoire de Chimie ENS Lyon, Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5182, 46 allée d’Italie, 69364 Lyon, France
| | - Cyrille Monnereau
- Laboratoire de Chimie ENS Lyon, Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5182, 46 allée d’Italie, 69364 Lyon, France
| | - Chantal Andraud
- Laboratoire de Chimie ENS Lyon, Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5182, 46 allée d’Italie, 69364 Lyon, France
| | - Marc Lecouvey
- Laboratoire CSPBAT, UMR 7244, CNRS, Université Paris 13, 74 Rue Marcel Cachin, 93017 Bobigny, France
| | - Susann Handrick
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité−Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Virchowweg 21, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Prokop
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité−Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Virchowweg 21, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank L. Heppner
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité−Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Virchowweg 21, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Nilsson
- IFM-kemi, Linköpings Universitet, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Mikael Lindgren
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Stephane Parola
- Laboratoire de Chimie ENS Lyon, Université de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5182, 46 allée d’Italie, 69364 Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tafoya MA, Madi S, Sillerud LO. Superparamagnetic nanoparticle-enhanced MRI of Alzheimer's disease plaques and activated microglia in 3X transgenic mouse brains: Contrast optimization. J Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 46:574-588. [PMID: 27875002 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To optimize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of antibody-conjugated superparamagnetic nanoparticles for detecting amyloid-β plaques and activated microglia in a 3X transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten 3X Tg mice were fed either chow or chow containing 100 ppm resveratrol. Four brains, selected from animals injected with either anti-amyloid targeted superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, or anti-Iba-1-conjugated FePt-nanoparticles, were excised, fixed with formalin, and placed in Fomblin for ex vivo MRI (11.7T) using multislice-multiecho, multiple gradient echo, rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement, and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Aβ plaques and areas of neuroinflammation appeared as hypointense regions whose number, location, and Z-score were measured as a function of sequence type and echo time. RESULTS The MR contrast was due to the shortening of the transverse relaxation time of the plaque-adjacent tissue water. A theoretical analysis of this effect showed that the echo time was the primary determinant of plaque contrast and was used to optimize Z-scores. The Z-scores of the detected lesions varied from 21 to 34 as the echo times varied from 4 to 25 msec, with SWI providing the highest Z-score and number of detected lesions. Computation of the entire plaque and activated microglial distributions in 3D showed that resveratrol treatment led to a reduction of ∼24-fold of Aβ plaque density and ∼4-fold in microglial activation. CONCLUSION Optimized MRI of antibody-conjugated superparamagnetic nanoparticles served to reveal the 3D distributions of both Aβ plaques and activated microglia and to measure the effects of drug treatments in this 3X Tg model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:574-588.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A Tafoya
- UNM BRaIN Center, Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Laurel O Sillerud
- UNM BRaIN Center, Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ali R, Goubran M, Choudhri O, Zeineh MM. Seven-Tesla MRI and neuroimaging biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. Neurosurg Focus 2016; 39:E4. [PMID: 26646928 DOI: 10.3171/2015.9.focus15326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this paper was to review the effectiveness of using 7-T MRI to study neuroimaging biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The authors reviewed the literature for articles published to date on the use of 7-T MRI to study AD. Thus far, there are 3 neuroimaging biomarkers for AD that have been studied using 7-T MRI in AD tissue: 1) neuroanatomical atrophy; 2) molecular characterization of hypointensities; and 3) microinfarcts. Seven-Tesla MRI has had mixed results when used to study the 3 aforementioned neuroimaging biomarkers for AD. First, in the detection of neuroanatomical atrophy, 7-T MRI has exciting potential. Historically, noninvasive imaging of neuroanatomical atrophy during AD has been limited by suboptimal resolution. However, now there is compelling evidence that the high resolution of 7-T MRI may help overcome this hurdle. Second, in detecting the characterization of hypointensities, 7-T MRI has had varied success. PET scans will most likely continue to lead in the noninvasive imaging of amyloid plaques; however, there is emerging evidence that 7-T MRI can accurately detect iron deposits within activated microglia, which may help shed light on the role of the immune system in AD pathogenesis. Finally, in the detection of microinfarcts, 7-T MRI may also play a promising role, which may help further elucidate the relationship between cerebrovascular health and AD progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maged Goubran
- Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | - Michael M Zeineh
- Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aggleton JP, Pralus A, Nelson AJD, Hornberger M. Thalamic pathology and memory loss in early Alzheimer's disease: moving the focus from the medial temporal lobe to Papez circuit. Brain 2016; 139:1877-90. [PMID: 27190025 PMCID: PMC4939698 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely assumed that incipient protein pathology in the medial temporal lobe instigates the loss of episodic memory in Alzheimer’s disease, one of the earliest cognitive deficits in this type of dementia. Within this region, the hippocampus is seen as the most vital for episodic memory. Consequently, research into the causes of memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease continues to centre on hippocampal dysfunction and how disease-modifying therapies in this region can potentially alleviate memory symptomology. The present review questions this entrenched notion by bringing together findings from post-mortem studies, non-invasive imaging (including studies of presymptomatic, at-risk cases) and genetically modified animal models. The combined evidence indicates that the loss of episodic memory in early Alzheimer’s disease reflects much wider neurodegeneration in an extended mnemonic system (Papez circuit), which critically involves the limbic thalamus. Within this system, the anterior thalamic nuclei are prominent, both for their vital contributions to episodic memory and for how these same nuclei appear vulnerable in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. As thalamic abnormalities occur in some of the earliest stages of the disease, the idea that such changes are merely secondary to medial temporal lobe dysfunctions is challenged. This alternate view is further strengthened by the interdependent relationship between the anterior thalamic nuclei and retrosplenial cortex, given how dysfunctions in the latter cortical area provide some of the earliest
in vivo
imaging evidence of prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. Appreciating the importance of the anterior thalamic nuclei for memory and attention provides a more balanced understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, this refocus on the limbic thalamus, as well as the rest of Papez circuit, would have significant implications for the diagnostics, modelling, and experimental treatment of cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John P Aggleton
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Agathe Pralus
- Master of Biosciences, ENS de Lyon, 46 allée d'Italie, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Andrew J D Nelson
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Adlard PA, Tran BA, Finkelstein DI, Desmond PM, Johnston LA, Bush AI, Egan GF. A review of β-amyloid neuroimaging in Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:327. [PMID: 25400539 PMCID: PMC4215612 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. As advancing age is the greatest risk factor for developing AD, the number of those afflicted is expected to increase markedly with the aging of the world's population. The inability to definitively diagnose AD until autopsy remains an impediment to establishing effective targeted treatments. Neuroimaging has enabled in vivo visualization of pathological changes in the brain associated with the disease, providing a greater understanding of its pathophysiological development and progression. However, neuroimaging biomarkers do not yet offer clear advantages over current clinical diagnostic criteria for them to be accepted into routine clinical use. Nonetheless, current insights from neuroimaging combined with the elucidation of biochemical and molecular processes in AD are informing the ongoing development of new imaging techniques and their application. Much of this research has been greatly assisted by the availability of transgenic mouse models of AD. In this review we summarize the main efforts of neuroimaging in AD in humans and in mouse models, with a specific focus on β-amyloid, and discuss the potential of new applications and novel approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Adlard
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Bob A. Tran
- Department of Radiology, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - David I. Finkelstein
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Patricia M. Desmond
- Department of Radiology, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Radiology, The Royal Melbourne HospitalParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Leigh A. Johnston
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashley I. Bush
- Division of Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Gary F. Egan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bigot C, Vanhoutte G, Verhoye M, Van der Linden A. Magnetization transfer contrast imaging reveals amyloid pathology in Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice. Neuroimage 2013; 87:111-9. [PMID: 24188815 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Revised: 10/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of amyloid plaques in the brain is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, which might already be present in the early stage of the disease. Therefore it is important to track amyloid plaques as early as possible. In this paper, we report magnetization transfer contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MTC MRI) as a novel approach to detect amyloid plaques in vivo. Two mice models, APP/PS1 and BRI, developing amyloid pathology were investigated with MTC MRI, T2 relaxation measurements and immunohistochemistry (IHC). MT-ratios of several brain regions were compared to T2-values and correlated with quantitative IHC, revealing amyloid load and gliosis in different brain regions. APP/PS1 mice develop large compact plaques, resembling late stage Alzheimer's disease, while rather small and diffuse plaques are deposited in BRI mice, reflecting early stage of Alzheimer's disease. We found significantly higher MT-ratio's in the brain of APP/PS1 mice as compared to their controls and similar trends in BRI mice. A region based MT-ratio and IHC analysis and correlations between MT-ratios and quantitative IHC indicate amyloid plaques as the main substrate for altered MT-ratios in transgenic animals. We additionally demonstrated the improved sensitivity of MTC MRI to amyloid pathology as compared to traditional T2 relaxation measurements. Our results suggest that MTC MRI reveals extensive, and potentially even early amyloid pathology. Further unraveling the MT-effect of each pathological feature during each stage of AD might indicate MTC MRI as a useful diagnostic technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bigot
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 Uc, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Greetje Vanhoutte
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 Uc, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 Uc, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 Uc, 2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sillerud LO, Solberg NO, Chamberlain R, Orlando RA, Heidrich JE, Brown DC, Brady CI, Vander Jagt TA, Garwood M, Vander Jagt DL. SPION-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of Alzheimer's disease plaques in AβPP/PS-1 transgenic mouse brain. J Alzheimers Dis 2013; 34:349-65. [PMID: 23229079 DOI: 10.3233/jad-121171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In our program to develop non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we have synthesized antibody-conjugated, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for use as an in vivo agent for MRI detection of amyloid-β plaques in AD. Here we report studies in AβPP/PS1 transgenic mice, which demonstrate the ability of novel anti-AβPP conjugated SPIONs to penetrate the blood-brain barrier to act as a contrast agent for MR imaging of plaques. The conspicuity of the plaques increased from an average Z-score of 5.1 ± 0.5 to 8.3 ± 0.2 when the plaque contrast to noise ratio was compared in control AD mice with AD mice treated with SPIONs. The number of MRI-visible plaques per brain increased from 347 ± 45 in the control AD mice, to 668 ± 86 in the SPION treated mice. These results indicated that our SPION enhanced amyloid-β detection method delivers an efficacious, non-invasive MRI detection method in transgenic mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurel O Sillerud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
|
12
|
McVicar N, Li AX, Suchý M, Hudson RHE, Menon RS, Bartha R. Simultaneous in vivo pH and temperature mapping using a PARACEST-MRI contrast agent. Magn Reson Med 2012; 70:1016-25. [PMID: 23165779 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Revised: 10/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Altered tissue temperature and/or pH is a common feature in pathological conditions, where metabolic demand exceeds oxygen supply such as in tumors and following stroke. Therefore, in vivo tissue temperature and pH may become valuable biomarkers for disease detection and the monitoring of disease progression or treatment response in conditions with altered metabolic demand. In this study, pH is measured using the amide protons of a thulium (Tm(3+)) complex with a DOTAM-Glycine-Lysine (ligand: Tm(3+)-DOTAM-Gly-Lys). The pH was uniquely determined from the linewidth of the asymmetry curve of the chemical exchange saturation transfer spectrum, independent of contrast agent concentration, or temperature for a given saturation pulse. pH maps with an inter-pixel standard deviation of less than 0.1 pH units were obtained in 10 mM Tm(3+)-DOTAM-Gly-Lys solutions with pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.0 pH units at 37°C. Temperature maps were simultaneously obtained using the chemical shift of the chemical exchange saturation transfer peak. Temperature and pH maps are demonstrated in the mouse leg (N = 3), where the mean and standard deviation for pH was 7.2 ± 0.2 pH unit and temperature was 37.4 ± 0.5°C.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nevin McVicar
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cho JH, Hong KS, Cho J, Chang SK, Cheong C, Lee NH, Kim H, Warren WS, Ahn S, Lee C. Detection of iron-labeled single cells by MR imaging based on intermolecular double quantum coherences at 14 T. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2012; 217:86-91. [PMID: 22436467 PMCID: PMC3794080 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2012.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the efficiency and feasibility of intermolecular multiple quantum coherence (iMQC) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for single cell detection, we obtained intermolecular double quantum coherence (iDQC) and conventional gradient echo (GE) images of macrophage cells labeled by contrast agents in gel. The iDQC images obtained with echo-planar readout visualized the labeled cells effectively and with a higher contrast than seen in conventional GE images, especially at low planar resolutions and with thick slices. This implies that iDQC imaging with contrast agents could be a good alternative to conventional MR imaging for detecting labeled single cells or cell tracking under favorable conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jee-Hyun Cho
- Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 363-883, Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | - Kwan Soo Hong
- Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 363-883, Korea
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Korea
| | - Janggeun Cho
- Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 363-883, Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | - Suk-Kyu Chang
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | - Chaejoon Cheong
- Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 363-883, Korea
| | - Na Hee Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | - Hyeonjin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Warren S. Warren
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0346, USA
| | - Sangdoo Ahn
- Department of Chemistry, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea
| | - Chulhyun Lee
- Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang 363-883, Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708-0346, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wadghiri YZ, Hoang DM, Wisniewski T, Sigurdsson EM. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of amyloid-β plaques in mice. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 849:435-51. [PMID: 22528108 PMCID: PMC3555565 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-551-0_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic mice are used increasingly to model brain amyloidosis, mimicking the pathogenic processes involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this chapter, an in vivo strategy is described that has been successfully used to map amyloid-β deposits in transgenic mouse models of AD with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), utilizing both the endogenous contrast induced by the plaques attributed to their iron content and by selectively enhancing the signal from amyloid-β plaques using molecular-targeting vectors labeled with MRI contrast agents. To obtain sufficient spatial resolution for effective and sensitive mouse brain imaging, magnetic fields of 7-Tesla (T) or more are required. These are higher than the 1.5-T field strength routinely used for human brain imaging. The higher magnetic fields affect contrast agent efficiency and dictate the choice of pulse sequence parameters for in vivo MRI, all addressed in this chapter. Two-dimensional (2D) multi-slice and three-dimensional (3D) MRI acquisitions are described and their advantages and limitations are discussed. The experimental setup required for mouse brain imaging is explained in detail, including anesthesia, immobilization of the mouse's head to reduce motion artifacts, and anatomical landmarks to use for the slice alignment procedure to improve image co-registration during longitudinal studies and for subsequent matching of MRI with histology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youssef Zaim Wadghiri
- Department of Radiology, Center for Biomedical Imaging, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Teipel SJ, Buchert R, Thome J, Hampel H, Pahnke J. Development of Alzheimer-disease neuroimaging-biomarkers using mouse models with amyloid-precursor protein-transgene expression. Prog Neurobiol 2011; 95:547-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2011.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
16
|
Chamberlain R, Wengenack TM, Poduslo JF, Garwood M, Jack CR. Magnetic resonance imaging of amyloid plaques in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Curr Med Imaging 2011; 7:3-7. [PMID: 21499442 DOI: 10.2174/157340511794653522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A major objective in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is amyloid plaque reduction. Transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease provide a controlled and consistent environment for studying amyloid plaque deposition in Alzheimer's disease. Magnetic resonance imaging is an attractive tool for longitudinal studies because it offers non-invasive monitoring of amyloid plaques. Recent studies have demonstrated the ability of magnetic resonance imaging to detect individual plaques in living mice. This review discusses the mouse models, MR pulse sequences, and parameters that have been used to image plaques and how they can be optimized for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Chamberlain
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research and Department of Radiology University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences (iMQCs) can generate NMR signals from exceedingly small dipolar interactions between distant spins in solutions. In the last few years, these signals have been used for a wide range of applications in imaging and high-resolution spectroscopy. Recent applications include MRI contrast enhancement, suppression of inhomogeneous broadening in NMR experiments, and more recently, in vivo temperature measurement. In this chapter, we describe how basic iMQC pulse sequences work and how to select the sequence parameters to optimize iMQC signals and to overcome signal contamination.
Collapse
|
18
|
Huang Y, Chen X, Cai S, Cai C, Chen Z. High-resolution two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy in inhomogeneous fields: new application of intermolecular zero-quantum coherences. J Chem Phys 2010; 132:134507. [PMID: 20387941 DOI: 10.1063/1.3374409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A new pulse sequence is proposed based on intermolecular zero-quantum coherences (iZQCs) to obtain high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy (COSY) in inhomogeneous fields via three-dimensional (3D) acquisition. This sequence extends the high-resolution iZQC approaches from one dimension to two dimensions. Since the iZQC evolution periods in the new sequence are insensitive to the field inhomogeneities, high-resolution COSY spectra can be recovered from inhomogeneous fields by projecting the 3D data onto the indirectly acquired 2D plane. Theoretical expressions were derived according to the distant dipolar field treatment combined with product operator formalism. Both the experimental observations and computer simulations are consistent with the theoretical predictions. The new sequence thus provides an attractive way to eliminate the influences of field inhomogeneity on the conventional COSY methods, which may be useful for the study of chemical and biological materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Huang
- Department of Physics, Fujian Key Laboratory of Plasma and Magnetic Resonance, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Observation and characterization of NMR signals in spin-1 system based on intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences. Chem Phys Lett 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2009.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
|
20
|
Weidensteiner C, Metzger F, Bruns A, Bohrmann B, Kuennecke B, von Kienlin M. Cortical hypoperfusion in the B6.PS2APP mouse model for Alzheimer's disease: comprehensive phenotyping of vascular and tissular parameters by MRI. Magn Reson Med 2009; 62:35-45. [PMID: 19449370 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.21985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Function and morphology of the cerebral vasculature were studied in the amyloid (Abeta) plaque-containing double-transgenic (TG) B6.PS2APP Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model with MRI at an age range of 10 to 17 months. Perfusion, blood volume, and average vessel geometry were assessed in the brain and compared to age-matched controls (wild-type [WT] C57Bl/6). Additionally, the MR relaxation times T(1), T(2), and T(2)* were measured to detect potential pathological changes that might be associated with Abeta plaque depositions. Both decreased perfusion and decreased blood volume were observed in the occipital cortex in B6.PS2APP mice as compared to controls. A significant decrease in T(1) and T(2) was found in the frontal cortex and in the subiculum/parasubiculum. Immunohistochemistry confirmed plaque depositions in the cortex and in the subiculum/parasubiculum. In summary, our data indicate a reduced blood supply of B6.PS2APP mice in the occipital cortex that parallels the findings in cortical regions of patients with AD.
Collapse
|
21
|
Chamberlain R, Reyes D, Curran GL, Marjanska M, Wengenack TM, Poduslo JF, Garwood M, Jack CR. Comparison of amyloid plaque contrast generated by T2-weighted, T2*-weighted, and susceptibility-weighted imaging methods in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Magn Reson Med 2009; 61:1158-64. [PMID: 19253386 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.21951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmark pathologies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is amyloid plaque deposition. Plaques appear hypointense on T(2)-weighted and T(2)*-weighted MR images probably due to the presence of endogenous iron, but no quantitative comparison of various imaging techniques has been reported. We estimated the T(1), T(2), T(2)*, and proton density values of cortical plaques and normal cortical tissue and analyzed the plaque contrast generated by a collection of T(2)-weighted, T(2)*-weighted, and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) methods in ex vivo transgenic mouse specimens. The proton density and T(1) values were similar for both cortical plaques and normal cortical tissue. The T(2) and T(2)* values were similar in cortical plaques, which indicates that the iron content of cortical plaques may not be as large as previously thought. Ex vivo plaque contrast was increased compared to a previously reported spin-echo sequence by summing multiple echoes and by performing SWI; however, gradient echo and SWI were found to be impractical for in vivo imaging due to susceptibility interface-related signal loss in the cortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Chamberlain
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
High-resolution NMR spectroscopy in inhomogeneous fields via heteronuclear intermolecular multiple-quantum coherences. Chem Phys Lett 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2009.02.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
23
|
Schneider JT, Faber C. BOLD imaging in the mouse brain using a turboCRAZED sequence at high magnetic fields. Magn Reson Med 2009; 60:850-9. [PMID: 18816869 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.21716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Functional MRI (fMRI) based on the detection of intermolecular double-quantum coherences (iDQC) has previously been shown to provide pronounced activation signal. For fMRI in small animals at very high magnetic fields, the essential fast gradient echo-based readout methods become problematic. Here, rapid intermolecular double-quantum coherence (iDQC) imaging was implemented, combining the iDQC preparation sequence with a Turbo spin echo-like readout. Four-step phase cycling and a novel intensity-ordered k-space encoding scheme with separate acquisition of odd and even echoes were essential to optimize signal to noise ratio efficiency. Compared with a single echo readout of iDQC signal, acceleration of factor 16 was achieved in phantoms using the novel method at 17.6 Tesla. In vivo, echo trains consisting of 32 echoes were possible and images of the mouse brain were obtained in 30 s. The blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) effect in the mouse brain upon change of breathing gas was observed as average signal change of (6.3 +/- 1.1)% in iDQC images. Signal changes in conventional multi spin echo images were (4.4 +/- 2.3)% and (8.3 +/- 3.8)% with gradient echo methods. Combination of T(2)*-weighting with the fast iDQC sequence may yield higher signal changes than with either method alone, and establish fast iDQC imaging a robust tool for high field fMRI in small animals.
Collapse
|
24
|
Nanotechnology, nanotoxicology, and neuroscience. Prog Neurobiol 2008; 87:133-70. [PMID: 18926873 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2008.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2008] [Revised: 07/02/2008] [Accepted: 09/18/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Nanotechnology, which deals with features as small as a 1 billionth of a meter, began to enter into mainstream physical sciences and engineering some 20 years ago. Recent applications of nanoscience include the use of nanoscale materials in electronics, catalysis, and biomedical research. Among these applications, strong interest has been shown to biological processes such as blood coagulation control and multimodal bioimaging, which has brought about a new and exciting research field called nanobiotechnology. Biotechnology, which itself also dates back approximately 30 years, involves the manipulation of macroscopic biological systems such as cells and mice in order to understand why and how molecular level mechanisms affect specific biological functions, e.g., the role of APP (amyloid precursor protein) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review aims (1) to introduce key concepts and materials from nanotechnology to a non-physical sciences community; (2) to introduce several state-of-the-art examples of current nanotechnology that were either constructed for use in biological systems or that can, in time, be utilized for biomedical research; (3) to provide recent excerpts in nanotoxicology and multifunctional nanoparticle systems (MFNPSs); and (4) to propose areas in neuroscience that may benefit from research at the interface of neurobiologically important systems and nanostructured materials.
Collapse
|
25
|
Balla DZ, Faber C. Intermolecular zero-quantum coherence NMR spectroscopy in the presence of local dipole fields. J Chem Phys 2008; 128:154522. [PMID: 18433250 DOI: 10.1063/1.2904564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NMR experiments detecting intermolecular zero-quantum coherences (iZQCs) allow for observation of homogeneous line shapes under inhomogeneous magnetic fields. Local dipole fields impair the refocusing capacity of such experiments and render the available theoretical description of signal evolution invalid. In this article, the impact of local dipole fields on two-dimensional iZQC spectroscopy experiments was assessed by performing extensive numerical simulations, which solved the nonlinear Bloch equations for a binary solution in a magnetization array of 64(3) spatial points. Local dipole fields were simulated using spherical volumes with different magnetic susceptibility values corresponding to either a glass sphere or an air inclusion with a diameter of 100 microm. The local field resulted in a broadened distribution of difference frequencies between locally interacting spins and led to the dominating effect of decreasing the amplitude of the solute peak, before line broadening was observed in the spectra. From simulations using a magnetic field strength of 17.6 T, the smallest ratio of sample to inclusion volume that still allowed for observation of the solute peak was determined to be eta(limit)=215 and eta(limit)=392 for glass and air inclusions, respectively. Experimental data acquired with a 100 microm diameter glass sphere embedded in agar gel yielded a value of eta(limit)=252 and confirmed the order of magnitude obtained from the simulations. From these data, it was concluded that iZQC spectroscopy is possible as long as the relative volume occupied by air inclusions does not exceed the order of 0.1% of the sample volume. This limit, in contrast to the previous speculations, strongly excludes materials or tissues with high density of strong inhomogeneities from the investigation by iZQC spectroscopy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Z Balla
- Department of Experimental Physics 5, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|