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Shirbandi K, Rikhtegar R, Khalafi M, Mirza Aghazadeh Attari M, Rahmani F, Javanmardi P, Iraji S, Babaei Aghdam Z, Rezaei Rashnoudi AM. Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Lactate in Alzheimer Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Alzheimer Disease Pathology and the Role of Lactate. Top Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 32:15-26. [PMID: 37093700 PMCID: PMC10121369 DOI: 10.1097/rmr.0000000000000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Functional 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) is a derivative of dynamic MRS imaging. This modality links physiologic metabolic responses with available activity and measures absolute or relative concentrations of various metabolites. According to clinical evidence, the mitochondrial glycolysis pathway is disrupted in many nervous system disorders, especially Alzheimer disease, resulting in the activation of anaerobic glycolysis and an increased rate of lactate production. Our study evaluates fMRS with J-editing as a cutting-edge technique to detect lactate in Alzheimer disease. In this modality, functional activation is highlighted by signal subtractions of lipids and macromolecules, which yields a much higher signal-to-noise ratio and enables better detection of trace levels of lactate compared with other modalities. However, until now, clinical evidence is not conclusive regarding the widespread use of this diagnostic method. The complex machinery of cellular and noncellular modulators in lactate metabolism has obscured the potential roles fMRS imaging can have in dementia diagnosis. Recent developments in MRI imaging such as the advent of 7 Tesla machines and new image reconstruction methods, coupled with a renewed interest in the molecular and cellular basis of Alzheimer disease, have reinvigorated the drive to establish new clinical options for the early detection of Alzheimer disease. Based on the latter, lactate has the potential to be investigated as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker for Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiarash Shirbandi
- Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Rikhtegar
- Department of Intracranial Endovascular Therapy, Alfried Krupp Krankenhaus Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Mohammad Khalafi
- Medical Imaging Sciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Farzaneh Rahmani
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Pouya Javanmardi
- Radiologic Technology Department, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Sajjad Iraji
- Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Babaei Aghdam
- Medical Imaging Sciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Takita H, Doishita S, Yoneda T, Tatekawa H, Abe T, Itoh Y, Horiuchi D, Tsukamoto T, Shimono T, Miki Y. Correlation between Phase-difference-enhanced MR Imaging and Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography: A Study on Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Normal Controls. Magn Reson Med Sci 2022; 22:67-78. [PMID: 35082221 PMCID: PMC9849423 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.mp.2021-0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE While amyloid-β deposition in the cerebral cortex for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often evaluated by amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), amyloid-β-related iron can be detected using phase difference enhanced (PADRE) imaging; however, no study has validated the association between PADRE imaging and amyloid PET. This study investigated whether the degree of hypointense areas on PADRE imaging correlated with the uptake of amyloid PET. METHODS PADRE imaging and amyloid PET were performed in 8 patients with AD and 10 age-matched normal controls. ROIs in the cuneus, precuneus, superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and superior temporal gyrus (STG) were automatically segmented. The degree of hypointense areas on PADRE imaging in each ROI was evaluated using 4-point scaling of visual assessment or volumetric semiquantitative assessment (the percentage of hypointense volume within each ROI). The mean standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) of amyloid PET in each ROI was also calculated. The Spearman's correlation coefficient between the 4-point scale of PADRE imaging and SUVR of amyloid PET or between the semiquantitative hypointense volume percentage and SUVR in each ROI was evaluated. RESULTS In the precuneus, a significant positive correlation was identified between the 4-point scale of PADRE imaging and SUVR of amyloid PET (Rs = 0.5; P = 0.034) in all subjects. In the cuneus, a significant positive correlation was identified between the semiquantitative volume percentage of PADRE imaging and SUVR of amyloid PET (Rs = 0.55; P = 0.02) in all subjects. CONCLUSION Amyloid-β-enhancing PADRE imaging can be used to predict the SUVR of amyloid PET, especially in the cuneus and precuneus, and may have the potential to be used for diagnosing AD by detecting amyloid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Takita
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Doishita
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan,Department of Radiology, Saitama Red Cross Hospital, Saitama, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Yoneda
- Department of Medical Physics in Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tatekawa
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan,Corresponding Author: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka 545-8585, Japan. Phone: +81-6-6645-3831, Fax: +81-6-6646-6655,
| | - Takato Abe
- Department of Neurology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan,Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Itoh
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Horiuchi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taro Tsukamoto
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taro Shimono
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukio Miki
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
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Gao F. Integrated Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging in clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Radiol 2021; 145:110017. [PMID: 34826792 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.110017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease which seriously endangers the health of the aged, is the most common etiology of senile dementia. With the increasing progress of neuroimaging technology, more and more imaging methods have been applied to study Alzheimer's disease. The emergence of integrated PET/MRI (Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a major advance in multimodal molecular imaging with many advantages on the structure of resolution and contrast of image over computed tomography (CT), PET and MRI. PET/MRI is now used stepwise in neurodegenerative diseases, and also has broad prospect of application in the early diagnosis of AD. In this review, we emphatically introduce the imaging advances of AD including functional imaging and molecular imaging, the advantages of PET/MRI over other imaging methods and prospects of PET/MRI in AD clinical diagnosis, especially in early diagnosis, clinical assessment and prediction on AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education and Center for Experimental Nuclear Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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4
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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.
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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
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Okada T, Handa S, Ding B, Urayama SI, Fujimoto K, Shima A, Yoshii D, Ayaki T, Sawamoto N, Takahashi R, Onoe H, Isa T, Petropoulos L. Insertable inductively coupled volumetric coils for MR microscopy in a human 7T MR system. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:1613-1620. [PMID: 34719801 PMCID: PMC9297907 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the capability of insertable inductively coupled volumetric coils for MR microscopy in a human 7T MR system. METHODS Insertable inductively coupled volume coils with diameters of 26 and 64 mm (D26 and D64 coils) targeted for monkey and mouse brain specimen sizes were designed and fabricated. These coils were placed inside the imaging volume of a transmit/receive knee coil without wired connections to the main system. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) evaluations were conducted with and without the insertable coils, and the g-factor maps of parallel imaging (PI) were also calculated for the D64 coil. Brain specimens were imaged using 3D T 2 ∗ -weighted images with spatial resolution of isotropic 50 and 160 μm using D26 and D64 coils, respectively. RESULTS Relative average (SD) SNRs compared with knee coil alone were 12.54 (0.30) and 2.37 (0.05) at the center for the D26 and D64 coils, respectively. The mean g-factors of PI with the D64 coil for the factor of 2 were less than 1.1 in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions, and around 1.5 in the superior-inferior direction or when the PI factor of 3 was used. Acceleration in two directions showed lower g-factors but suffered from intrinsic low SNR. Representative T 2 ∗ -weighted images of the specimen showed structural details. CONCLUSION Inductively coupled small diameter coils insertable to the knee coil demonstrated high SNR and modest PI capability. The concept was successfully used to visualize fine structures of the brain specimen. The insertable coils are easy to handle and enable MR microscopy in a human whole-body 7T MRI system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohisa Okada
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shinya Handa
- Quality Electrodynamics, Mayfield Village, Ohio, USA
| | - Bill Ding
- Quality Electrodynamics, Mayfield Village, Ohio, USA
| | - Shin-Ichi Urayama
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koji Fujimoto
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shima
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yoshii
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Ayaki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobukatsu Sawamoto
- Department of Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Onoe
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tadashi Isa
- Human Brain Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Tuzzi E, Balla DZ, Loureiro JRA, Neumann M, Laske C, Pohmann R, Preische O, Scheffler K, Hagberg GE. Ultra-High Field MRI in Alzheimer's Disease: Effective Transverse Relaxation Rate and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping of Human Brain In Vivo and Ex Vivo compared to Histology. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 73:1481-1499. [PMID: 31958079 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. So far, diagnosis of AD is only unequivocally defined through postmortem histology. Amyloid plaques are a classical hallmark of AD and amyloid load is currently quantified by Positron Emission tomography (PET) in vivo. Ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-MRI) can potentially provide a non-invasive biomarker for AD by allowing imaging of pathological processes at a very-high spatial resolution. The first aim of this work was to reproduce the characteristic cortical pattern previously observed in vivo in AD patients using weighted-imaging at 7T. We extended these findings using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and quantification of the effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*) at 9.4T. The second aim was to investigate the origin of the contrast patterns observed in vivo in the cortex of AD patients at 9.4T by comparing quantitative UHF-MRI (9.4T and 14.1T) of postmortem samples with histology. We observed a distinctive cortical pattern in vivo in patients compared to healthy controls (HC), and these findings were confirmed ex vivo. Specifically, we found a close link between the signal changes detected by QSM in the AD sample at 14.1T and the distribution pattern of amyloid plaques in the histological sections of the same specimen. Our findings showed that QSM and R2* maps can distinguish AD from HC at UHF by detecting cortical alterations directly related to amyloid plaques in AD patients. Furthermore, we provided a method to quantify amyloid plaque load in AD patients at UHF non-invasively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Tuzzi
- Department for High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Eberhard Karl's University, Tübingen and University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - David Z Balla
- Department for Physiology of Cognitive Processes, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joana R A Loureiro
- Department for High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Eberhard Karl's University, Tübingen and University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.,Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manuela Neumann
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Laske
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Tübingen, Germany.,Section for Dementia Research, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rolf Pohmann
- Department for High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Preische
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Tübingen, Germany.,Section for Dementia Research, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Scheffler
- Department for High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Eberhard Karl's University, Tübingen and University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gisela E Hagberg
- Department for High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Eberhard Karl's University, Tübingen and University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
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7
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Bhattarai A, Egan GF, Talman P, Chua P, Chen Z. Magnetic Resonance Iron Imaging in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 55:1283-1300. [PMID: 33586315 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) results in progressive impairment of upper and lower motor neurons. Increasing evidence from both in vivo and ex vivo studies suggest that iron accumulation in the motor cortex is a neuropathological hallmark in ALS. An in vivo neuroimaging marker of iron dysregulation in ALS would be useful in disease diagnosis and prognosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with its unique capability to generate a variety of soft tissue contrasts, provides opportunities to image iron distribution in the human brain with millimeter to sub-millimeter anatomical resolution. Conventionally, MRI T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and T2*-weighted images have been used to investigate iron dysregulation in the brain in vivo. Susceptibility weighted imaging has enhanced contrast for para-magnetic materials that provides superior sensitivity to iron in vivo. Recently, the development of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has realized the possibility of using quantitative assessments of magnetic susceptibility measures in brain tissues as a surrogate measurement of in vivo brain iron. In this review, we provide an overview of MRI techniques that have been used to investigate iron dysregulation in ALS in vivo. The potential uses, strengths, and limitations of these techniques in clinical trials, disease diagnosis, and prognosis are presented and discussed. We recommend further longitudinal studies with appropriate cohort characterization to validate the efficacy of these techniques. We conclude that quantitative iron assessment using recent advances in MRI including QSM holds great potential to be a sensitive diagnostic and prognostic marker in ALS. The use of multimodal neuroimaging markers in combination with iron imaging may also offer improved sensitivity in ALS diagnosis and prognosis that could make a major contribution to clinical care and treatment trials. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjan Bhattarai
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gary F Egan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Talman
- Department of Neuroscience, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phyllis Chua
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Statewide Progressive Neurological Services, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhaolin Chen
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Luo S, Ma C, Zhu MQ, Ju WN, Yang Y, Wang X. Application of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases With Emphasis on Alzheimer's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:21. [PMID: 32184709 PMCID: PMC7058693 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by chronic progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system, which brings an enormous burden on patients, their families, and society. It is difficult to make early diagnosis, resulting from the insidious onset and progressive development of neurodegenerative diseases. The drugs on the market cannot cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) effectively, which leads to unfavorable prognosis and less effective treatments. Therefore, there is an urgent demand to develop a novel detection method and therapeutic strategies. Recently, nanomedicine has aroused considerable attention for diagnosis and therapy of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Nanoparticles integrate targeting, imaging, and therapy in one system and facilitate the entry of drug molecules across the blood-brain barrier, offering new hope to patients. In this review, we summarize the application of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We focus on IONPs as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs) and drug carriers in AD. What most neurodegenerative diseases have in common is that hall marker lesions are represented by protein aggregates (Soto and Pritzkow, 2018). These diseases are of unknown etiology and unfavorable prognosis, and the treatments toward them are less effective (Soto and Pritzkow, 2018). Such diseases usually develop in aged people, and early clinical manifestations are atypical, resulting in difficulty in early diagnosis. Recently, nanomedicine has aroused considerable attention for therapy and diagnosis of CNS diseases because it integrates targeting, imaging, and therapy in one system (Gupta et al., 2019). In this review article, we first introduce the neurodegenerative diseases and commonly used MRI CAs. Then we review the application of IONPs in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with the purpose of assisting early theranostics (therapy and diagnosis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Luo
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chi Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ming-Qin Zhu
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei-Na Ju
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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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.
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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
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10
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Gong NJ, Dibb R, Bulk M, van der Weerd L, Liu C. Imaging beta amyloid aggregation and iron accumulation in Alzheimer's disease using quantitative susceptibility mapping MRI. Neuroimage 2019; 191:176-185. [PMID: 30739060 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta amyloid is a protein fragment snipped from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Aggregation of these peptides into amyloid plaques is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. MR imaging of beta amyloid plaques has been attempted using various techniques, notably with T2* contrast. The non-invasive detectability of beta amyloid plaques in MR images has so far been largely attributed to focal iron deposition accompanying the plaques. It is believed that the T2* shortening effects of paramagnetic iron are the primary source of contrast between plaques and surrounding tissue. Amyloid plaque itself has been reported to induce no magnetic susceptibility effect. We hypothesized that aggregations of beta amyloid would increase electron density and induce notable changes in local susceptibility value, large enough to generate contrast relative to surrounding normal tissues that can be visualized by quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) MR imaging. To test this hypothesis, we first demonstrated in a phantom that beta amyloid is diamagnetic and can generate strong contrast on susceptibility maps. We then conducted experiments on a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease that is known to mimic the formation of human beta amyloid but without neurofibrillary tangles or neuronal death. Over a period of 18 months, we showed that QSM can be used to longitudinally monitor beta amyloid accumulation and accompanied iron deposition in vivo. Individual beta amyloid plaque can also be visualized ex vivo in high resolution susceptibility maps. Moreover, the measured negative susceptibility map and positive susceptibility map could provide histology-like image contrast for identifying deposition of beta amyloid plaques and iron. Finally, we demonstrated that the diamagnetic susceptibility of beta amyloid can also be observed in brain specimens of AD patients. The ability to assess beta amyloid aggregation non-invasively with QSM MR imaging may aid the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan-Jie Gong
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China.
| | - Russell Dibb
- Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marjolein Bulk
- Department of Radiology & Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Radiology & Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Chunlei Liu
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Magnetic Nanoparticles Applications for Amyloidosis Study and Detection: A Review. NANOMATERIALS 2018; 8:nano8090740. [PMID: 30231587 PMCID: PMC6164038 DOI: 10.3390/nano8090740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have great potential in biomedical and clinical applications because of their many unique properties. This contribution provides an overview of the MNPs mainly used in the field of amyloid diseases. The first part discusses their use in understanding the amyloid mechanisms of fibrillation, with emphasis on their ability to control aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins. The second part deals with the functionalization by various moieties of numerous MNPs’ surfaces (molecules, peptides, antibody fragments, or whole antibodies of MNPs) for the detection and the quantification of amyloid aggregates. The last part of this review focuses on the use of MNPs for magnetic-resonance-based amyloid imaging in biomedical fields, with particular attention to the application of gadolinium-based paramagnetic nanoparticles (AGuIX), which have been recently developed. Biocompatible AGuIX nanoparticles show favorable characteristics for in vivo use, such as nanometric and straightforward functionalization. Their properties have enabled their application in MRI. Here, we report that AGuIX nanoparticles grafted with the Pittsburgh compound B can actively target amyloid aggregates in the brain, beyond the blood–brain barrier, and remain the first step in observing amyloid plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
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12
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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
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Chen Y, Lim P, Rogers KA, Rutt BK, Ronald JA. In Vivo MRI of Amyloid Plaques in a Cholesterol-Fed Rabbit Model of Alzheimer’s Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:911-923. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-180207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxin Chen
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick Lim
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Kem A. Rogers
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Brian K. Rutt
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - John A. Ronald
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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Tang X, Cai F, Ding DX, Zhang LL, Cai XY, Fang Q. Magnetic resonance imaging relaxation time in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res Bull 2018; 140:176-189. [PMID: 29738781 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxation time constants, T1 and T2, are sensitive to changes in brain tissue microstructure integrity. Quantitative T1 and T2 relaxation times have been proposed to serve as non-invasive biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which alterations are believed to not only reflect AD-related neuropathology but also cognitive impairment. In this review, we summarize the applications and key findings of MRI techniques in the context of both AD subjects and AD transgenic mouse models. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms of relaxation time alterations in AD will be discussed. Future studies could focus on relaxation time alterations in the early stage of AD, and longitudinal studies are needed to further explore relaxation time alterations during disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Tang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 899, Pinghai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Feng Cai
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 899, Pinghai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Dong-Xue Ding
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 899, Pinghai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Lu-Lu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 899, Pinghai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Xiu-Ying Cai
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 899, Pinghai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China.
| | - Qi Fang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 899, Pinghai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, China.
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15
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Mouse models of neurodegenerative disease: preclinical imaging and neurovascular component. Brain Imaging Behav 2017; 12:1160-1196. [PMID: 29075922 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9770-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases represent great challenges for basic science and clinical medicine because of their prevalence, pathologies, lack of mechanism-based treatments, and impacts on individuals. Translational research might contribute to the study of neurodegenerative diseases. The mouse has become a key model for studying disease mechanisms that might recapitulate in part some aspects of the corresponding human diseases. Neurodegenerative disorders are very complicated and multifactorial. This has to be taken in account when testing drugs. Most of the drugs screening in mice are very difficult to be interpretated and often useless. Mouse models could be condiderated a 'pathway models', rather than as models for the whole complicated construct that makes a human disease. Non-invasive in vivo imaging in mice has gained increasing interest in preclinical research in the last years thanks to the availability of high-resolution single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), high field Magnetic resonance, Optical Imaging scanners and of highly specific contrast agents. Behavioral test are useful tool to characterize different animal models of neurodegenerative pathology. Furthermore, many authors have observed vascular pathological features associated to the different neurodegenerative disorders. Aim of this review is to focus on the different existing animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, describe behavioral tests and preclinical imaging techniques used for diagnose and describe the vascular pathological features associated to these diseases.
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16
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Gao L, Jiang Z, Cai Z, Cai M, Zhang Q, Ma Y, Li G, Zhao F, Ma Q. Brain iron deposition analysis using susceptibility weighted imaging and its association with body iron level in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:8209-8215. [PMID: 28990041 PMCID: PMC5779907 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to analyze brain and body iron levels among patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and normal controls (NCs). A total of 90 participants (30 MCI, 30 AD, 30 NC) were enrolled. Brain iron content was quantified using susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI). Phase values were used to calculate bilateral iron content in the hippocampus (HP), substantia nigra, red nucleus (RN), dentate nucleus (DN), caudate nucleus (CN), globus pallidus (GP), putamen (PUT), frontal white matter, temporal cortex (TC), and parietal cortex. Body iron indices, including serum iron, serum transferrin, ferritin and total iron binding capacity, were measured. Phase values of the left (L)-DN, L-CN, and bilateral PUT in the MCI group were significantly lower compared with NC group. Phase values of the right (R)-RN, bilateral DN, and bilateral PUT in the AD group were significantly lower compared with the MCI group. Phase values of the bilateral HP, DN, RN, CN, GP, PUT, and L-TC in the AD group were significantly lower compared with the NC group. Serum ferritin levels in the MCI and AD groups were significantly lower compared with the NC group. Only serum iron in the AD group was positively associated with iron content in the R-HP. Brain iron deposition and body iron levels both increased in MCI and AD patients, however, excessive brain iron accumulation may have no association with body iron level. SWI was particularly effective at recognizing the presence of brain iron in the MCI and AD groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Gao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Zhihong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Zhaocheng Cai
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Ming Cai
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Ma
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Guoliang Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Fengzhu Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Ma
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P.R. China
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17
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Contrast-enhanced MR microscopy of amyloid plaques in five mouse models of amyloidosis and in human Alzheimer's disease brains. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4955. [PMID: 28694463 PMCID: PMC5504006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05285-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Gadolinium (Gd)-stained MRI is based on Gd contrast agent (CA) administration into the brain parenchyma. The strong signal increase induced by Gd CA can be converted into resolution enhancement to record microscopic MR images. Moreover, inhomogeneous distribution of the Gd CA in the brain improves the contrast between different tissues and provides new contrasts in MR images. Gd-stained MRI detects amyloid plaques, one of the microscopic lesions of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in APPSL/PS1M146L mice or in primates. Numerous transgenic mice with various plaque typologies have been developed to mimic cerebral amyloidosis and comparison of plaque detection between animal models and humans with new imaging methods is a recurrent concern. Here, we investigated detection of amyloid plaques by Gd-stained MRI in five mouse models of amyloidosis (APPSL/PS1M146L, APP/PS1dE9, APP23, APPSwDI, and 3xTg) presenting with compact, diffuse and intracellular plaques as well as in post mortem human-AD brains. The brains were then evaluated by histology to investigate the impact of size, compactness, and iron load of amyloid plaques on their detection by MRI. We show that Gd-stained MRI allows detection of compact amyloid plaques as small as 25 µm, independently of their iron load, in mice as well as in human-AD brains.
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18
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Zhao Y, Raichle ME, Wen J, Benzinger TL, Fagan AM, Hassenstab J, Vlassenko AG, Luo J, Cairns NJ, Christensen JJ, Morris JC, Yablonskiy DA. In vivo detection of microstructural correlates of brain pathology in preclinical and early Alzheimer Disease with magnetic resonance imaging. Neuroimage 2016; 148:296-304. [PMID: 27989773 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer disease (AD) affects at least 5 million individuals in the USA alone stimulating an intense search for disease prevention and treatment therapies as well as for diagnostic techniques allowing early identification of AD during a long pre-symptomatic period that can be used for the initiation of prevention trials of disease-modifying therapies in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS Our approach to developing such techniques is based on the Gradient Echo Plural Contrast Imaging (GEPCI) technique that provides quantitative in vivo measurements of several brain-tissue-specific characteristics of the gradient echo MRI signal (GEPCI metrics) that depend on the integrity of brain tissue cellular structure. Preliminary data were obtained from 34 participants selected from the studies of aging and dementia at the Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis. Cognitive status was operationalized with the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. The participants, assessed as cognitively normal (CDR=0; n=23) or with mild AD dementia (CDR=0.5 or 1; n=11) underwent GEPCI MRI, a collection of cognitive performance tests and CSF amyloid (Aβ) biomarker Aβ42. A subset of 19 participants also underwent PET PiB studies to assess their brain Aβ burden. According to the Aβ status, cognitively normal participants were divided into normal (Aβ negative; n=13) and preclinical (Aβ positive; n=10) groups. RESULTS GEPCI quantitative measurements demonstrated significant differences between all the groups: normal and preclinical, normal and mild AD, and preclinical and mild AD. GEPCI quantitative metrics characterizing tissue cellular integrity in the hippocampus demonstrated much stronger correlations with psychometric tests than the hippocampal atrophy. Importantly, GEPCI-determined changes in the hippocampal tissue cellular integrity were detected even in the hippocampal areas not affected by the atrophy. Our studies also uncovered strong correlations between GEPCI brain tissue metrics and beta-amyloid (Aβ) burden defined by positron emission tomography (PET) - the current in vivo gold standard for detection of cortical Aβ, thus supporting GEPCI as a potential surrogate marker for Aβ imaging - a known biomarker of early AD. Remarkably, the data show significant correlations not only in the areas of high Aβ accumulation (e.g. precuneus) but also in some areas of medial temporal lobe (e.g. parahippocampal cortex), where Aβ accumulation is relatively low. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated that GEPCI provides a new approach for the in vivo evaluation of AD-related tissue pathology in the preclinical and early symptomatic stages of AD. Since MRI is a widely available technology, the GEPCI surrogate markers of AD pathology have a potential for improving the quality of AD diagnostic, and the evaluation of new disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Marcus E Raichle
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jie Wen
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tammie L Benzinger
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anne M Fagan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jason Hassenstab
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Andrei G Vlassenko
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nigel J Cairns
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jon J Christensen
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - John C Morris
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Dmitriy A Yablonskiy
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maged Goubran
- Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | - Michael M Zeineh
- Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Li Y, Zhu X, Wang P, Wang J, Liu S, Li F, Qiu M. Detection of Aβ plaque deposition in MR images based on pixel feature selection and class information in image level. Biomed Eng Online 2016; 15:108. [PMID: 27632977 PMCID: PMC5025619 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-016-0222-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaque deposition is an important prevention and treatment target for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As a noninvasive, nonradioactive and highly cost-effective clinical imaging method, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the perfect imaging technology for the clinical diagnosis of AD, but it cannot display the plaque deposition directly. This paper resolves this problem based on pixel feature selection algorithms at the image level. Methods and results Firstly, the brain region was segmented from mouse model brain MR images. Secondly, the pixels in the segmented brain region were extracted as a feature vector (features). Thirdly, feature selection was conducted on the extracted features, and the optimal feature subset was obtained. Fourthly, the various optimal feature subsets were obtained by repeating the same processing above. Fifthly, based on the optimal feature subsets, the final optimal feature subset was obtained by voting mechanism. Finally, using the final optimal selected features, the corresponding pixels on the MR images could be found and marked to show the information about Aβ plaque deposition. The MR images and brain histological image slices of twenty-two model mice were used in the experiments. Four feature selection algorithms were used on the MR images and six kinds of classification experiments are conducted, thereby choosing a pixel feature selection algorithm for further study. The experimental results showed that by using the pixel features selected by the algorithms in this paper, the best classification accuracy between early AD and control slides could be as high as 80 %. The selected and marked MR pixels could show information of Aβ plaque deposition without missing most of the Aβ plaque deposition compared with brain histological slice images. The hit rate is over than 90 %. Conclusions According to the experimental results, the proposed detection algorithm of the Aβ plaque deposition based on MR pixel feature selection algorithm is effective. The proposed algorithm can detect the information of the Aβ plaque deposition on MR images and the information can be useful for improving the classification accuracy as assistant MR biomarker. Besides, these findings firstly show the feasibility of detection of the Aβ plaque deposition on MR images and provide reference method for interested relevant researchers in public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming Li
- Department of Medical Image, College of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China. .,College of Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Xueru Zhu
- College of Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Pin Wang
- College of Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Jie Wang
- College of Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Shujun Liu
- College of Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Fan Li
- College of Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Mingguo Qiu
- Department of Medical Image, College of Biomedical Engineering, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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23
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Neuroimaging in Alzheimer's disease: preclinical challenges toward clinical efficacy. Transl Res 2016; 175:37-53. [PMID: 27033146 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The scope of this review focuses on recent applications in preclinical and clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) toward accomplishing the goals of early detection and responses to therapy in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Driven by the outstanding efforts of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a truly invaluable resource, the initial use of MRI in AD imaging has been to assess changes in brain anatomy, specifically assessing brain shrinkage and regional changes in white matter tractography using diffusion tensor imaging. However, advances in MRI have led to multiple efforts toward imaging amyloid beta plaques first without and then with the use of MRI contrast agents. These technological advancements have met with limited success and are not yet appropriate for the clinic. Recent developments in molecular imaging inclusive of high-power liposomal-based MRI contrast agents as well as fluorine 19 ((19)F) MRI and manganese enhanced MRI have begun to propel promising advances toward not only plaque imaging but also using MRI to detect perturbations in subcellular processes occurring within the neuron. This review concludes with a discussion about the necessity for the development of novel preclinical models of AD that better recapitulate human AD for the imaging to truly be meaningful and for substantive progress to be made toward understanding and effectively treating AD. Furthermore, the continued support of outstanding programs such as ADNI as well as the development of novel molecular imaging agents and MRI fast scanning sequences will also be requisite to effectively translate preclinical findings to the clinic.
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24
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Reuter B, Venus A, Heiler P, Schad L, Ebert A, Hennerici MG, Grudzenski S, Fatar M. Development of Cerebral Microbleeds in the APP23-Transgenic Mouse Model of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-A 9.4 Tesla MRI Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:170. [PMID: 27458375 PMCID: PMC4937037 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) around cerebral arteries and capillaries and leads to an increased risk for vascular dementia, spontaneous lobar hemorrhage, convexal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and transient focal neurological episodes, which might be an indicator of imminent spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. In CAA cerebral microbleeds (cMBs) with a cortical/juxtacortical distribution are frequently observed in standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In vivo MRI of transgenic mouse models of CAA may serve as a useful tool to investigate translational aspects of the disease. Materials and Methods: APP23-transgenic mice demonstrate cerebrovascular Aβ deposition with subsequent neuropathological changes characteristic for CAA. We performed a 9.4 Tesla high field MRI study using T2, T2* and time of flight-magnetic resonance angiograpy (TOF-MRA) sequences in APP23-transgenic mice and wildtype (wt) littermates at the age of 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 months, respectively. Numbers, size, and location of cMBs are reported. Results: T2* imaging demonstrated cMBs (diameter 50–300 μm) located in the neocortex and, to a lesser degree, in the thalamus. cMBs were detected at the earliest at 16 months of age. Numbers increased exponentially with age, with 2.5 ± 2 (median ± interquartilrange) at 16 months, 15 ± 6 at 20 months, and 31.5 ± 17 at 24 months of age, respectively. Conclusion: We report the temporal and spatial development of cMBs in the aging APP23-transgenic mouse model which develops characteristic pathological patterns known from human CAA. We expect this mouse model to serve as a useful tool to non-invasively monitor mid- and longterm translational aspects of CAA and to investigate experimental therapeutic strategies in longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Reuter
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Freiburg University Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Venus
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
| | - Patrick Heiler
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lothar Schad
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Ebert
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael G Hennerici
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
| | - Saskia Grudzenski
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marc Fatar
- Department of Neurology, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Heidelberg University Mannheim, Germany
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25
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Santin MD, Vandenberghe ME, Herard AS, Pradier L, Cohen C, Debeir T, Delzescaux T, Rooney T, Dhenain M. In Vivo Detection of Amyloid Plaques by Gadolinium-Stained MRI Can Be Used to Demonstrate the Efficacy of an Anti-amyloid Immunotherapy. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:55. [PMID: 27047372 PMCID: PMC4802995 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular deposition of β amyloid plaques is an early event associated to Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we have used in vivo gadolinium-stained high resolution (29∗29∗117 μm3) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to follow-up in a longitudinal way individual amyloid plaques in APP/PS1 mice and evaluate the efficacy of a new immunotherapy (SAR255952) directed against protofibrillar and fibrillary forms of Aβ. APP/PS1 mice were treated for 5 months between the age of 3.5 and 8.5 months. SAR255952 reduced amyloid load in 8.5-months-old animals, but not in 5.5-months animals compared to mice treated with a control antibody (DM4). Histological evaluation confirmed the reduction of amyloid load and revealed a lower density of amyloid plaques in 8.5-months SAR255952-treated animals. The longitudinal follow-up of individual amyloid plaques by MRI revealed that plaques that were visible at 5.5 months were still visible at 8.5 months in both SAR255952 and DM4-treated mice. This suggests that the amyloid load reduction induced by SAR255952 is related to a slowing down in the formation of new plaques rather than to the clearance of already formed plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu D Santin
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases LaboratoryFontenay-aux-Roses, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, MIRCenFontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Michel E Vandenberghe
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases LaboratoryFontenay-aux-Roses, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, MIRCenFontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Anne-Sophie Herard
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases LaboratoryFontenay-aux-Roses, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, MIRCenFontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Laurent Pradier
- Sanofi, Neurodegeneration and Pain Unit Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Caroline Cohen
- Sanofi, Neurodegeneration and Pain Unit Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Thierry Delzescaux
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases LaboratoryFontenay-aux-Roses, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, MIRCenFontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Thomas Rooney
- Sanofi, Neurodegeneration and Pain Unit Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Marc Dhenain
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases LaboratoryFontenay-aux-Roses, France; Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale, Institut d'Imagerie Biomédicale, MIRCenFontenay-aux-Roses, France
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26
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Quantitative multimodal multiparametric imaging in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Inform 2016; 3:29-37. [PMID: 27747597 PMCID: PMC4883163 DOI: 10.1007/s40708-015-0028-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, causing changes in memory, thinking, and other dysfunction of brain functions. More and more people are suffering from the disease. Early neuroimaging techniques of AD are needed to develop. This review provides a preliminary summary of the various neuroimaging techniques that have been explored for in vivo imaging of AD. Recent advances in magnetic resonance (MR) techniques, such as functional MR imaging (fMRI) and diffusion MRI, give opportunities to display not only anatomy and atrophy of the medial temporal lobe, but also at microstructural alterations or perfusion disturbance within the AD lesions. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has become the subject of intense research for the diagnosis and facilitation of drug development of AD in both animal models and human trials due to its non-invasive and translational characteristic. Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET and amyloid PET are applied in clinics and research departments. Amyloid beta (Aβ) imaging using PET has been recognized as one of the most important methods for the early diagnosis of AD, and numerous candidate compounds have been tested for Aβ imaging. Besides in vivo imaging method, a lot of ex vivo modalities are being used in the AD researches. Multiphoton laser scanning microscopy, neuroimaging of metals, and several metal bioimaging methods are also mentioned here. More and more multimodality and multiparametric neuroimaging techniques should improve our understanding of brain function and open new insights into the pathophysiology of AD. We expect exciting results will emerge from new neuroimaging applications that will provide scientific and medical benefits.
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Eisenmenger LB, Huo EJ, Hoffman JM, Minoshima S, Matesan MC, Lewis DH, Lopresti BJ, Mathis CA, Okonkwo DO, Mountz JM. Advances in PET Imaging of Degenerative, Cerebrovascular, and Traumatic Causes of Dementia. Semin Nucl Med 2016; 46:57-87. [DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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28
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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.
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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
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29
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Adachi Y, Sato N, Saito Y, Kimura Y, Nakata Y, Ito K, Kamiya K, Matsuda H, Tsukamoto T, Ogawa M. Usefulness of SWI for the Detection of Iron in the Motor Cortex in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Neuroimaging 2014; 25:443-51. [PMID: 24888543 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the sensitivity of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) compared to conventional spin-echo T2-weighted and T2*-weighted images in detecting iron deposition in the motor cortex of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in comparison with age-matched normal controls. We also investigated the etiology of the low signal referring to the pathology of one autopsy case. METHODS This retrospective magnetic resonance (MR) study included 23 ALS patients and 28 age-matched normal controls. The signal intensity of the motor cortex was scored by SWI, conventional T2-weighted images and T2*-weighted images. A postmortem study of one patient was also performed. RESULTS On SWI, there was a significant difference between the precentral cortical signal intensity scores in the ALS patients and the controls (P < .0001). The total scores of signal intensities of the precentral cortex were positively correlated with age in the normal controls (r = .494), but no correlation was observed in the ALS patients. The postmortem study showed intensely stained microglias and macrophages after antiferritin antibody staining in the precentral cortices. CONCLUSIONS Decreased signal intensity of the motor cortex on SWI may serve a useful role in ALS diagnoses, particularly in young patients. MR images were also helpful for speculating on the etiology of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Adachi
- National Center Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry Radiology, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
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30
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Solberg NO, Chamberlin R, Vigil JR, Deck LM, Heidrich JE, Brown DC, Brady CI, Vander Jagt TA, Garwood M, Bisoffi M, Severns V, Vander Jagt DL, Sillerud LO. Optical and SPION-enhanced MR imaging shows that trans-stilbene inhibitors of NF-κB concomitantly lower Alzheimer's disease plaque formation and microglial activation in AβPP/PS-1 transgenic mouse brain. J Alzheimers Dis 2014; 40:191-212. [PMID: 24413613 PMCID: PMC4407807 DOI: 10.3233/jad-131031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with a microglia-dependent neuroinflammatory response against plaques containing the fibrous protein amyloid-β (Aβ). Activation of microglia, which closely associate with Aβ plaques, engenders the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the internalization of Aβ fibrils. Since the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB is one of the major regulators of Aβ-induced inflammation, we treated transgenic amyloid-β protein protein/presenilin-1 (AβPP/PS1) mice for one year with a low dose (0.01% by weight in the diet) of either of two trans-stilbene NF-κB inhibitors, resveratrol or a synthetic analog LD55. The 3D distribution of Aβ plaques was measured ex vivo in intact brains at 60 μm resolution by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using blood-brain barrier-permeable, anti-AβPP-conjugated superparamagentic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). The MRI measurements were confirmed by optical microscopy of thioflavin-stained brain tissue sections and indicated that supplementation with either of the two trans-stilbenes lowered Aβ plaque density in the cortex, caudoputamen, and hippocampus by 1.4 to 2-fold. The optical measurements also included the hippocampus and indicated that resveratrol and LD55 reduced average Aβ plaque density by 2.3-fold and 3.1-fold, respectively. Ex vivo measurements of the regional distribution of microglial activation by Iba-1 immunofluorescence of brain tissue sections showed that resveratrol and LD55 reduced average microglial activation by 4.2- fold and 3.5-fold, respectively. Since LD55 lacked hydroxyl groups but both resveratrol and LD55 concomitantly reduced both Aβ plaque burden and neuroinflammation to a similar extent, it appears that the antioxidant potential of resveratrol is not an important factor in plaque reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan O. Solberg
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Ryan Chamberlin
- The Center for Magnetic Resonance Research and Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jenette R. Vigil
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Lorraine M. Deck
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - David C. Brown
- Departments of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Christina I. Brady
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Michael Garwood
- The Center for Magnetic Resonance Research and Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Marco Bisoffi
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Virginia Severns
- Departments of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - David L. Vander Jagt
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Quatros LLC, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Laurel O. Sillerud
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Amiri H, Saeidi K, Borhani P, Manafirad A, Ghavami M, Zerbi V. Alzheimer's disease: pathophysiology and applications of magnetic nanoparticles as MRI theranostic agents. ACS Chem Neurosci 2013; 4:1417-29. [PMID: 24024702 PMCID: PMC3837373 DOI: 10.1021/cn4001582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. During the recent decade, nanotechnology has been widely considered, as a promising tool, for theranosis (diagnosis and therapy) of AD. Here we first discuss pathophysiology and characteristics of AD with a focus on the amyloid cascade hypothesis. Then magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and recent works on their applications in AD, focusing on the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), are reviewed. Furthermore, the amyloid-nanoparticle interaction is highlighted, with the scope to be highly considered by the scientists aiming for diagnostics and/or treatment of AD employing nanoparticles. Furthermore, recent findings on the "ignored" parameters (e.g., effect of protein "corona" at the surface of nanoparticles on amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrillation process) are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houshang Amiri
- Department of Radiology and Department
of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain,
Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University
Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kolsoum Saeidi
- Department of Medical Genetics and Department of Radiological
Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, 7618747653 Kerman, Iran
| | - Parvin Borhani
- Department of Medical Genetics and Department of Radiological
Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, 7618747653 Kerman, Iran
| | - Arash Manafirad
- National Cell Bank, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 13164 Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Ghavami
- National Cell Bank, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 13164 Tehran, Iran
| | - Valerio Zerbi
- Department of Radiology and Department
of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain,
Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University
Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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32
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel O Sillerud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Klohs J, Politano IW, Deistung A, Grandjean J, Drewek A, Dominietto M, Keist R, Schweser F, Reichenbach JR, Nitsch RM, Knuesel I, Rudin M. Longitudinal Assessment of Amyloid Pathology in Transgenic ArcAβ Mice Using Multi-Parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66097. [PMID: 23840405 PMCID: PMC3686820 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to monitor pathological changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective of this longitudinal study was to assess the effects of progressive amyloid-related pathology on multiple MRI parameters in transgenic arcAβ mice, a mouse model of cerebral amyloidosis. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T1-mapping and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), a novel MRI based technique, were applied to monitor structural alterations and changes in tissue composition imposed by the pathology over time. Vascular function and integrity was studied by assessing blood-brain barrier integrity with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and cerebral microbleed (CMB) load with susceptibility weighted imaging and QSM. A linear mixed effects model was built for each MRI parameter to incorporate effects within and between groups (i.e. genotype) and to account for changes unrelated to the disease pathology. Linear mixed effects modelling revealed a strong association of all investigated MRI parameters with age. DWI and QSM in addition revealed differences between arcAβ and wt mice over time. CMBs became apparent in arcAβ mice with 9 month of age; and the CMB load reflected disease stage. This study demonstrates the benefits of linear mixed effects modelling of longitudinal imaging data. Moreover, the diagnostic utility of QSM and assessment of CMB load should be exploited further in studies of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Igna Wojtyna Politano
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Deistung
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Jena University Hospital – Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Drewek
- Seminar für Statistik, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Dominietto
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruth Keist
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ferdinand Schweser
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Jena University Hospital – Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jürgen R. Reichenbach
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Jena University Hospital – Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Roger M. Nitsch
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irene Knuesel
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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34
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Santin MD, Debeir T, Bridal SL, Rooney T, Dhenain M. Fast in vivo imaging of amyloid plaques using μ-MRI Gd-staining combined with ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening. Neuroimage 2013; 79:288-94. [PMID: 23660031 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.04.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Revised: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid plaques are one of the major microscopic lesions that characterize Alzheimer's disease. Current approaches to detect amyloid plaques by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents require invasive procedures to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to deliver the contrast agent into the vicinity of amyloid plaques. Here we have developed a new protocol (US-Gd-staining) that enables the detection of amyloid plaques in the brain of an APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of amyloidosis after intra-venous injection of a non-targeted, clinically approved MRI contrast agent (Gd-DOTA, Dotarem®) by transiently opening the BBB with unfocused ultrasound (1 MHz) and clinically approved microbubbles (Sonovue®, Bracco). This US-Gd-staining protocol can detect amyloid plaques with a short imaging time (32 min) and high in-plane resolution (29 μm). The sensitivity and resolution obtained is at least equal to that provided by MRI protocols using intra-cerebro-ventricular injection of contrast agents, a reference method used to penetrate the BBB. To our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate the ability of MR imaging to detect amyloid plaques by using a peripheral intra-venous injection of a clinically approved NMR contrast agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu D Santin
- URA 2210 CEA/CNRS Laboratoire des maladies neurodégénératives - 18 route du Panorama-BP6 - 92265 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France.
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35
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Chang H, Chuang T, Chung H, Lin H, Lai P, Weng M, Fu J, Wang P, Li S, Pan H. Multilayer appearance on contrast‐enhanced susceptibility‐weighted images on patients with brain abscesses: Possible origins and effects of postprocessing. J Magn Reson Imaging 2012; 36:1353-61. [PMID: 23097197 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.23766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2011] [Accepted: 07/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hing‐Chiu Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Applied Science Laboratory, GE Healthcare, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tzu‐Chao Chuang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Sun Yat‐Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hsiao‐Wen Chung
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Huey‐Shyan Lin
- Program of Health‐Business Administration, School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ping‐Hong Lai
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- School of Medicine, National Yang‐Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Mei‐Jui Weng
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- School of Medicine, National Yang‐Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Jui‐Hsun Fu
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Po‐Chin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- School of Medicine, National Yang‐Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shang‐Chieh Li
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Huay‐Ben Pan
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China
- School of Medicine, National Yang‐Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Gadolinium-staining reveals amyloid plaques in the brain of Alzheimer's transgenic mice. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 33:1533-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2010] [Revised: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Abstract
Neuroimaging allows researchers and clinicians to noninvasively assess structure and function of the brain. With the advances of imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance, nuclear, and optical imaging; the design of target-specific probes; and/or the introduction of reporter gene assays, these technologies are now capable of visualizing cellular and molecular processes in vivo. Undoubtedly, the system biological character of molecular neuroimaging, which allows for the study of molecular events in the intact organism, will enhance our understanding of physiology and pathophysiology of the brain and improve our ability to diagnose and treat diseases more specifically. Technical/scientific challenges to be faced are the development of highly sensitive imaging modalities, the design of specific imaging probe molecules capable of penetrating the CNS and reporting on endogenous cellular and molecular processes, and the development of tools for extracting quantitative, biologically relevant information from imaging data. Today, molecular neuroimaging is still an experimental approach with limited clinical impact; this is expected to change within the next decade. This article provides an overview of molecular neuroimaging approaches with a focus on rodent studies documenting the exploratory state of the field. Concepts are illustrated by discussing applications related to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zürich, Switzerland
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38
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Brain iron deposition and sequence characteristics in Parkinsonism: comparison of SWI, T₂* maps, T₂-weighted-, and FLAIR-SPACE. Invest Radiol 2011; 45:795-802. [PMID: 20829707 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e3181ec9c96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare quantitatively T2- and T2*-based magnetic resonance imaging sequences in patients with symptoms of Parkinson disease and to evaluate the information content of those sequences regarding brain iron concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS We imaged 51 patients with symptoms of Parkinson disease on 3-T magnetic resonance imaging with T2-weighted sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolution (SPACE), fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR)-SPACE, susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and parametric T2* sequence (MapIt). Signal analysis was performed in 22 regions of interest in the brain. RESULTS Correlations (r2 = 0.82...0.96) with brain iron concentration were excellent. Contrast and tissue separability ratios were best in the T2* maps and FLAIR-SPACE, respectively. Good correlations of contrast were reached between SWI and both T2-weighted SPACE and FLAIR-SPACE. Their relation to quantitative T2* values was reminiscent of a quadratic curve shape. However, separation into gray and white matter revealed a linear positive and negative correlation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS SWI showed potential in differentiating illnesses characterized by brain iron deposition. Closely similar information was given by T2-weighted SPACE and FLAIR-SPACE, whereas other sequence comparisons revealed dispersion from intersequence agreement.
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Chamberlain
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research and Department of Radiology University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Amatsubo T, Yanagisawa D, Morikawa S, Taguchi H, Tooyama I. Amyloid imaging using high-field magnetic resonance. Magn Reson Med Sci 2011; 9:95-9. [PMID: 20885081 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.9.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of senile plaques followed by deposition of amyloid β peptides (Aβ) are the earliest pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease (AD); thus, detection of the plaques remains the most important early diagnostic indicator of AD. Amyloid imaging is a noninvasive technique for visualizing senile plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's using positron emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Several types of probes have been developed for PET, but few ligands have been developed specifically for MR imaging detection of amyloid plaques. This review presents recent advances in amyloid imaging using MR imaging and includes our studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomone Amatsubo
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
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Yang J, Wadghiri YZ, Hoang DM, Tsui W, Sun Y, Chung E, Li Y, Wang A, de Leon M, Wisniewski T. Detection of amyloid plaques targeted by USPIO-Aβ1-42 in Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice using magnetic resonance microimaging. Neuroimage 2011; 55:1600-9. [PMID: 21255656 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2010] [Revised: 01/02/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid plaques are one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The visualization of amyloid plaques in the brain is important to monitor AD progression and to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Our group has developed several contrast agents to detect amyloid plaques in vivo using magnetic resonance microimaging (μMRI) in AD transgenic mice, where we used intra-carotid mannitol to enhance blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. In the present study, we used ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles, chemically coupled with Aβ1-42 peptide to detect amyloid deposition along with mannitol for in vivo μMRI by femoral intravenous injection. A 3D gradient multi-echo sequence was used for imaging with a 100μm isotropic resolution. The amyloid plaques detected by T2*-weighted μMRI were confirmed with matched histological sections. Furthermore, two different quantitative analyses were used. The region of interest-based quantitative measurement of T2* values showed contrast-injected APP/PS1 mice had significantly reduced T2* values compared to wild-type mice. In addition, the scans were examined with voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) for comparison of contrast-injected AD transgenic and wild-type mice. The regional differences seen in VBM comparing USPIO-Aβ1-42 injected APP/PS1 and wild-type mice correlated with the amyloid plaque distribution histologically, contrasting with no differences between the two groups of mice without contrast agent injection in regions of the brain with amyloid deposition. Our results demonstrated that both approaches were able to identify the differences between AD transgenic mice and wild-type mice, after injected with USPIO-Aβ1-42. The feasibility of using less invasive intravenous femoral injections for amyloid plaque detection in AD transgenic mice facilitates using this method for longitudinal studies in the pathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Baltes C, Princz-Kranz F, Rudin M, Mueggler T. Detecting amyloid-β plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Methods Mol Biol 2011; 711:511-33. [PMID: 21279620 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61737-992-5_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the major neuropathological changes characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is deposits of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in neocortical and subcortical regions of the AD brain. The histochemical detection of these lesions in postmortem brain tissue is necessary for definitive diagnosis of AD. Methods for their in vivo detection would greatly aid the diagnosis of AD in early stages when neuronal loss and related functional impairment are still limited and would also open the opportunity for effective therapeutic interventions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) theoretically provides the spatial resolution needed to resolve amyloid-β plaques. Although currently limited for clinical applications due to unfavorable long acquisition times, MRI has been used to visualize Aβ plaques in AD mouse models. The ability to detect amyloid-positive brain lesions in vivo using non-invasive imaging would allow to track disease progression and to monitor the efficacy of potential therapies in disease-modifying studies using transgenic models resembling AD pathology. Here, we provide MRI protocols for in vivo (mouse) and ex vivo (AD tissue samples) amyloid plaque imaging and the procedure for correlating these with thioflavin-S and iron-staining histology. Current challenges and limitations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof Baltes
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Denic A, Macura SI, Mishra P, Gamez JD, Rodriguez M, Pirko I. MRI in rodent models of brain disorders. Neurotherapeutics 2011; 8:3-18. [PMID: 21274681 PMCID: PMC3075741 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-010-0002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established tool in clinical practice and research on human neurological disorders. Translational MRI research utilizing rodent models of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is becoming popular with the increased availability of dedicated small animal MRI systems. Projects utilizing this technology typically fall into one of two categories: 1) true "pre-clinical" studies involving the use of MRI as a noninvasive disease monitoring tool which serves as a biomarker for selected aspects of the disease and 2) studies investigating the pathomechanism of known human MRI findings in CNS disease models. Most small animal MRI systems operate at 4.7-11.7 Tesla field strengths. Although the higher field strength clearly results in a higher signal-to-noise ratio, which enables higher resolution acquisition, a variety of artifacts and limitations related to the specific absorption rate represent significant challenges in these experiments. In addition to standard T1-, T2-, and T2*-weighted MRI methods, all of the currently available advanced MRI techniques have been utilized in experimental animals, including diffusion, perfusion, and susceptibility weighted imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, chemical shift imaging, heteronuclear imaging, and (1)H or (31)P MR spectroscopy. Selected MRI techniques are also exclusively utilized in experimental research, including manganese-enhanced MRI, and cell-specific/molecular imaging techniques utilizing negative contrast materials. In this review, we describe technical and practical aspects of small animal MRI and provide examples of different MRI techniques in anatomical imaging and tract tracing as well as several models of neurological disorders, including inflammatory, neurodegenerative, vascular, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injury models, and neoplastic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Denic
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 USA
| | - Slobodan I. Macura
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 USA
| | - Prasanna Mishra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Gamez
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 USA
| | - Moses Rodriguez
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 USA
| | - Istvan Pirko
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 USA
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Delatour B, Epelbaum S, Petiet A, Dhenain M. In vivo imaging biomarkers in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease: are we lost in translation or breaking through? Int J Alzheimers Dis 2010; 2010. [PMID: 20953404 PMCID: PMC2952791 DOI: 10.4061/2010/604853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a critical priority to efficiently diagnose the patients, to stage the progression of neurodegeneration in living subjects, and to assess the effects of disease-modifier treatments. This paper addresses the development and usefulness of preclinical neuroimaging biomarkers of AD. It is today possible to image in vivo the brain of small rodents at high resolution and to detect the occurrence of macroscopic/microscopic lesions in these species, as well as of functional alterations reminiscent of AD pathology. We will outline three different types of imaging biomarkers that can be used in AD mouse models: biomarkers with clear translational potential, biomarkers that can serve as in vivo readouts (in particular in the context of drug discovery) exclusively for preclinical research, and finally biomarkers that constitute new tools for fundamental research on AD physiopathogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoît Delatour
- CRICM-Team "Alzheimer's and Prion Diseases", UPMC/Inserm UMR-S 975, CNRS UMR 7225, G.H. Pitié Salpêtrière, 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651 Paris Cedex 13, France
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Wengenack TM, Reyes DA, Curran GL, Borowski BJ, Lin J, Preboske GM, Holasek SS, Gilles EJ, Chamberlain R, Marjanska M, Jack CR, Garwood M, Poduslo JF. Regional differences in MRI detection of amyloid plaques in AD transgenic mouse brain. Neuroimage 2010; 54:113-22. [PMID: 20728546 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2010] [Revised: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Our laboratory and others have reported the ability to detect individual Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid plaques in transgenic mouse brain in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Since amyloid plaques contain iron, most MRI studies attempting to detect plaques in AD transgenic mouse brain have employed techniques that exploit the paramagnetic effect of iron and have had mixed results. In the present study, using five-way anatomic spatial coregistration of MR images with three different histological techniques, properties of amyloid plaques in AD transgenic mouse brain were revealed that may explain their variable visibility in gradient- and spin-echo MR images. The results demonstrate differences in the visibility of plaques in the cortex and hippocampus, compared to plaques in the thalamus, by the different MRI sequences. All plaques were equally detectable by T(2)SE, while only thalamic plaques were reliably detectable by T(2)*GE pulse sequences. Histology revealed that cortical/hippocampal plaques have low levels of iron while thalamic plaques have very high levels. However, the paramagnetic effect of iron does not appear to be the sole factor leading to the rapid decay of transverse magnetization (short T(2)) in cortical/hippocampal plaques. Accordingly, MRI methods that rely less on iron magnetic susceptibility effect may be more successful for eventual human AD plaque MR imaging, particularly since human AD plaques more closely resemble the cortical and hippocampal plaques of AD transgenic mice than thalamic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Wengenack
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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