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Frank D, Gruenbaum BF, Zvenigorodsky V, Shelef I, Oleshko A, Matalon F, Tsafarov B, Zlotnik A, Frenkel A, Boyko M. Establishing a 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Method for Assessing Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4234. [PMID: 38673818 PMCID: PMC11050572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084234] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) significantly contributes to death and disability worldwide. However, treatment options remain limited. Here, we focus on a specific pathology of TBI, diffuse axonal brain injury (DABI), which describes the process of the tearing of nerve fibers in the brain after blunt injury. Most protocols to study DABI do not incorporate a specific model for that type of pathology, limiting their ability to identify mechanisms and comorbidities of DABI. In this study, we developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for DABI in a rat model using a 3-T clinical scanner. We compared the neuroimaging outcomes with histologic and neurologic assessments. In a sample size of 10 rats in the sham group and 10 rats in the DABI group, we established neurological severity scores before the intervention and at 48 h following DABI induction. After the neurological evaluation after DABI, all rats underwent MRI scans and were subsequently euthanized for histological evaluation. As expected, the neurological assessment showed a high sensitivity for DABI lesions indicated using the β-APP marker. Surprisingly, however, we found that the MRI method had greater sensitivity in assessing DABI lesions compared to histological methods. Out of the five MRI parameters with pathological changes in the DABI model, we found significant changes compared to sham rats in three parameters, and, as shown using comparative tests with other models, MRI was the most sensitive parameter, being even more sensitive than histology. We anticipate that this DABI protocol will have a significant impact on future TBI and DABI studies, advancing research on treatments specifically targeted towards improving patient quality of life and long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Frank
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.F.)
| | - Benjamin F. Gruenbaum
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Vladislav Zvenigorodsky
- Department of Radiology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (V.Z.); (I.S.)
| | - Ilan Shelef
- Department of Radiology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (V.Z.); (I.S.)
| | - Anna Oleshko
- Department of Biology and Methods of Teaching Biology, A. S. Makarenko Sumy State Pedagogical University, 40002 Sumy, Ukraine
| | - Frederic Matalon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.F.)
| | - Beatris Tsafarov
- Department of Histology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Alexander Zlotnik
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.F.)
| | - Amit Frenkel
- Department of Emergency Medicine Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel;
| | - Matthew Boyko
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel; (D.F.)
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Linzey M, DiSano K, Welsh N, Ford JC, Gilli F, Wishart H, Pachner A. High throughput method for detecting murine brain atrophy using a clinical 3T MRI. BMC Med Imaging 2023; 23:183. [PMID: 37957588 PMCID: PMC10641942 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-023-01124-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which the CNS is injured in multiple sclerosis (MS). Since Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection in SJL/J mice is an established model of progressive disability in MS, and CNS atrophy correlates with progressive disability in MS, we used in vivo MRI to quantify total ventricular volume in TMEV infection. We then sought to identify immunological and virological biomarkers that correlated with increased ventricular size. METHODS Mice, both infected and control, were followed for 6 months. Cerebral ventricular volumes were determined by MRI, and disability was assessed by Rotarod. A range of immunological and virological measures was obtained using standard techniques. RESULTS Disability was present in infected mice with enlarged ventricles, while infected mice without enlarged ventricles had Rotarod performance similar to sham mice. Ventricular enlargement was detected as soon as 1 month after infection. None of the immunological and virological measures correlated with the development of ventricular enlargement. CONCLUSIONS These results support TMEV infection with brain MRI monitoring as a useful model for exploring the biology of disability progression in MS, but they did not identify an immunological or virological correlate with ventricular enlargement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Linzey
- Integrative Neuroscience at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, US.
| | - Krista DiSano
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, US
| | - Nora Welsh
- Integrative Neuroscience at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, US
| | - James C Ford
- Department of Psychiatry at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, New Hampshire, US
| | - Francesca Gilli
- Integrative Neuroscience at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, US
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont, US
- Department of Neurology at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon New Hampshire, US
| | - Heather Wishart
- Department of Psychiatry at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, New Hampshire, US
| | - Andrew Pachner
- Department of Neurology at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon New Hampshire, US
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Design of a dedicated circular coil for Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy studies in small phantoms and animal acquisition with a 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance clinical scanner. POLISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/pjmpe-2020-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a very powerful tool to explore the tissue components, by allowing a selective identification of molecules and molecular distribution mapping. Due to intrinsic Signal-to-Noise Ratio limitations (SNR), MRS in small phantoms and animals with a clinical scanner requires the design and development of dedicated radiofrequency (RF) coils, a task of fundamental importance. In this article, the authors describe the simulation, design, and application of a 1H transmit/receive circular coil suitable for MRS studies in small phantoms and small animal models with a clinical 3T scanner. In particular, the circular coil could be an improvement in animal experiments for tumor studies in which the lesions are localized in specific areas.
Material and methods: The magnetic field pattern was calculated using the Biot–Savart law and the inductance was evaluated with analytical calculations. Finally, the coil sensitivity was measured with the perturbing sphere method. Successively, a prototype of the coil was built and tested on the workbench and by the acquisition of MRS data.
Results: In this work, we demonstrate the design trade-offs for successfully developing a dedicated coil for MRS experiments in small phantoms and animals with a clinical scanner. The coil designed in the study offers the potential for obtaining MRS data with a high SNR and good spectral resolution.
Conclusions: The paper provides details of the design, modelling, and construction of a dedicated circular coil, which represents a low cost and easy to build answer for MRS experiments in small samples with a clinical scanner.
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Sharifzad F, Yasavoli‐Sharahi H, Mardpour S, Fakharian E, Nikuinejad H, Heydari Y, Mardpour S, Taghikhani A, khellat R, Vafaei S, Kiani S, Ghavami S, Łos M, Noureddini M, Ebrahimi M, Verdi J, Hamidieh AA. Neuropathological and genomic characterization of glioblastoma‐induced rat model: How similar is it to humans for targeted therapy? J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:22493-22504. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Sharifzad
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences Kashan University of Medical Sciences Kashan Iran
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR Tehran Iran
| | - Hamed Yasavoli‐Sharahi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR Tehran Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology University of Science and Culture Tehran Iran
| | - Saeid Mardpour
- Department of Radiology Medical Imaging Center Imam Khomeini Hospital Tehran Iran
- Department of Radiology Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Esmaeil Fakharian
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences Kashan University of Medical Sciences Kashan Iran
- Department of Neurosurgery Kashan University of Medical Sciences Kashan Iran
| | - Hassan Nikuinejad
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences Kashan University of Medical Sciences Kashan Iran
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center Baqiyataallah University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Yasaman Heydari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR Tehran Iran
- Department of Medical Physics Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
| | - Soura Mardpour
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR Tehran Iran
| | - Adeleh Taghikhani
- Department of Immunology, Medical School Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
| | - Reza khellat
- Shafa Hospital Pathobiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz Iran
| | - Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Advanced Technologies in Medicine Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - Sahar Kiani
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR Tehran Iran
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Canada
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Cancer Care Manitoba University of Manitoba Winnipeg Canada
| | - Marek Łos
- Biotechnology Centre Silesian Technical University of Technology Gliwice Poland
| | - Mehdi Noureddini
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences Kashan University of Medical Sciences Kashan Iran
| | - Marzieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR Tehran Iran
| | - Javad Verdi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences Kashan University of Medical Sciences Kashan Iran
- Department of Medical Physics Tarbiat Modares University Tehran Iran
| | - Amir Ali Hamidieh
- Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Department, Children's Medical Center Tehran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
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Boyko M, Zvenigorodsky V, Grinshpun J, Shiyntum HN, Melamed I, Kutz R, Shelef I, Brotfain E, Frank D, Zlotnik A. Establishment of novel technical methods for evaluating brain edema and lesion volume in stroked rats: A standardization of measurement procedures. Brain Res 2019; 1718:12-21. [PMID: 31026458 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Stroke plays a role in high morbidity and mortality. Deciphering its mechanisms and pathophysiology is critical for the creation of new drugs and therapies. Most of the previous animal models of stroke, aimed at identifying the extent and location of brain injury following stroke, require animal sacrifice, which, besides ethical considerations, also negates the ability for follow up studies with the same rats. Because of these failures, the use of clinical magnetic resonance scanners for evaluating small animal models has been increasing. Magnetic resonance imaging scanners used particularly for small-bore animals are eligible for use in high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of rodent brains. However, high costs and scarcity factor heavily in the rare availability of these scanners. In our investigation, we sought to establish a unitary magnetic resonance imaging protocol for stroke assessment in rats. We made use of a 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging clinical scanner, as well as another clinical equipment, with the purpose of increasing its reproducibility. The results of inquest validated a new magnetic resonance imaging protocol, comparing a magnetic resonance imaging-measured infarcted zone to the "gold standard" of histological examination. We carried out the experimental procedure on a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging clinical scanner using a conventional eight-channel receive-only coil. The two methods produced remarkable quantitative and qualitative correlations between them. Conclusively, we showed the clinical magnetic resonance imaging scanner to be a high-precision and sensitive image analysis instrument for evaluating both the infarct zone and the brain edema in a stroke experimental rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Boyko
- Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.
| | - Vladislav Zvenigorodsky
- Department of Radiology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Julia Grinshpun
- Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Honore N Shiyntum
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, Ecology, and Medicine, Oles' Honchar Dnipro National University, Gagarin avenue 72, Dnipro 49010, Ukraine
| | - Israel Melamed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.
| | - Ruslan Kutz
- Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.
| | - Ilan Shelef
- Department of Radiology, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
| | - Evgeni Brotfain
- Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Dmitry Frank
- Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.
| | - Alexander Zlotnik
- Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Soroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel.
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Pereira-Caixeta AR, Guarnieri LO, Medeiros DC, Mendes EMAM, Ladeira LCD, Pereira MT, Moraes MFD, Pereira GS. Inhibiting constitutive neurogenesis compromises long-term social recognition memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 155:92-103. [PMID: 29964163 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Although the functional role for newborn neurons in neural circuits is still matter of investigation, there is no doubt that neurogenesis modulates learning and memory in rodents. In general, boosting neurogenesis before learning, using genetic-target tools or drugs, improves hippocampus-dependent memories. However, inhibiting neurogenesis may yield contradictory results depending on the type of memory evaluated. Here we tested the hypothesis that inhibiting constitutive neurogenesis would compromise social recognition memory (SRM). Male Swiss mice were submitted to three distinct procedures to inhibit neurogenesis: (1) intra-cerebral infusion of Cystosine-β-D-Arabinofuranoside (AraC); (2) intra-peritoneal injection of temozolomide (TMZ) and (3) cranial gamma irradiation. All three methods decreased cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the dorsal (dDG) and ventral hippocampus (vDG), and the olfactory bulb (OB). However, the percentage inhibition diverged between methods and brain regions. Ara-C, TMZ and gamma irradiation impaired SRM, though only gamma irradiation did not cause side effects on weight gain, locomotor activity and anxiety. Finally, we examined the contribution of cell proliferation in vDG, dDG and OB to SRM. The percent of inhibition in the dDG correlates with SRM, independently of the method utilized. This correlation was observed for granular cell layer of OB and vDG, only when the inhibition was induced by gamma irradiation. Animal's performance was restrained by the inhibition of dDG cell proliferation, suggesting that cell proliferation in the dDG has a greater contribution to SRM. Altogether, our results demonstrate that SRM, similarly to other hippocampus-dependent memories, has its formation impaired by reducing constitutive neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Raquel Pereira-Caixeta
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leonardo O Guarnieri
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Medeiros
- Centro de Tecnologia e Pesquisa em Magneto Ressonância, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M A M Mendes
- Centro de Tecnologia e Pesquisa em Magneto Ressonância, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luiz C D Ladeira
- Laboratório de Irradiação Gama, Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear/Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, Brazil
| | - Márcio T Pereira
- Laboratório de Irradiação Gama, Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear/Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, Brazil
| | - Márcio F D Moraes
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Centro de Tecnologia e Pesquisa em Magneto Ressonância, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Grace S Pereira
- Núcleo de Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Underhill HR. A continuous-infusion dynamic MRI model at 3.0 Tesla for the serial quantitative evaluation of microvascular proliferation in an animal model of glioblastoma multiforme. Magn Reson Med 2017; 78:1824-1838. [PMID: 28078795 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a continuous-infusion dynamic MRI technique to characterize tumor-associated microvascular proliferation (MVP) in a rat brain model of glioblastoma multiforme. METHODS The proposed model assumes effects due to tumor-associated MVP (eg, vascular permeability, Ktrans ; intravascular plasma fraction, vp ) cannot be individually separated and solves for a single parameter (kvasc ) that quantifies the T1 -weighted contrast enhancement from dynamic images acquired during continuous contrast agent (CA) infusion. Untreated C6 tumor-bearing animals (N = 6) were serially imaged on postoperative days (PODs) 14 and 18 with a 3 Tesla clinical scanner utilizing a dynamic spatial and temporal resolution of 0.38 × 0.38 × 1.5 mm3 and 3.47 s, respectively. RESULTS An association was present between PODs 14 and 18 for median tumor kvasc (Pearson's r = 0.94, P = 0.0052) and CA concentration ([CA], derived from pre- and postcontrast R1 maps; r = 0.94, P = 0.0054). On POD 18, there was a voxel-based association between kvasc and [CA] within each tumor (0.45 < r < 0.82, P < 0.001). However, voxel-based subregions demonstrated a reduced association between kvasc and [CA] (N = 5; -0.08 < r < 0.22, P > 0.05) or an inverse association (N = 1; r = -0.28, P = 0.001), indicating differences between locations of vascular permeability and subsequent CA pooling in tumors. CONCLUSION The continuous-infusion method may provide a quantitative measure for characterizing and monitoring tumor-associated MVP. Magn Reson Med 78:1824-1838, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter R Underhill
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Diaz-Ruiz A, Roldan-Valadez E, Ortiz-Plata A, Mondragón-Lozano R, Heras-Romero Y, Mendez-Armenta M, Osorio-Rico L, Nava-Ruiz C, Ríos C. Dapsone improves functional deficit and diminishes brain damage evaluated by 3-Tesla magnetic resonance image after transient cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats. Brain Res 2016; 1646:384-392. [PMID: 27321157 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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9
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Zhang D, Li XH, Zhai X, He XJ. Feasibility of 3.0 T diffusion-weighted nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of functional recovery of rats with complete spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:412-8. [PMID: 25878589 PMCID: PMC4396103 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.153689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion tensor imaging is a sensitive way to reflect axonal necrosis and degeneration, glial cell regeneration and demyelination following spinal cord injury, and to display microstructure changes in the spinal cord in vivo. Diffusion tensor imaging technology is a sensitive method to diagnose spinal cord injury; fiber tractography visualizes the white matter fibers, and directly displays the structural integrity and resultant damage of the fiber bundle. At present, diffusion tensor imaging is restricted to brain examinations, and is rarely applied in the evaluation of spinal cord injury. This study aimed to explore the fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and the feasibility of diffusion tensor tractography in the evaluation of complete spinal cord injury in rats. The results showed that the average combined scores were obviously decreased after spinal cord transection in rats, and then began to increase over time. The fractional anisotropy scores after spinal cord transection in rats were significantly lower than those in normal rats (P < 0.05); the apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly increased compared with the normal group (P < 0.05). Following spinal cord transection, fractional anisotropy scores were negatively correlated with apparent diffusion coefficient values (r = -0.856, P < 0.01), and positively correlated with the average combined scores (r = 0.943, P < 0.01), while apparent diffusion coefficient values had a negative correlation with the average combined scores (r = -0.949, P < 0.01). Experimental findings suggest that, as a non-invasive examination, diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging can provide qualitative and quantitative information about spinal cord injury. The fractional anisotropy score and apparent diffusion coefficient have a good correlation with the average combined scores, which reflect functional recovery after spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Zhang
- Second Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-hui Li
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xu Zhai
- Second Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xi-jing He
- Second Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
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Martínez Vera NP, Schmidt R, Langer K, Zlatev I, Wronski R, Auer E, Havas D, Windisch M, von Briesen H, Wagner S, Stab J, Deutsch M, Pietrzik C, Fazekas F, Ropele S. Tracking of magnetite labeled nanoparticles in the rat brain using MRI. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92068. [PMID: 24633006 PMCID: PMC3954869 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was performed to explore the feasibility of tracing nanoparticles for drug transport in the healthy rat brain with a clinical MRI scanner. Phantom studies were performed to assess the R1 ( = 1/T1) relaxivity of different magnetically labeled nanoparticle (MLNP) formulations that were based on biodegradable human serum albumin and that were labeled with magnetite of different size. In vivo MRI measurements in 26 rats were done at 3T to study the effect and dynamics of MLNP uptake in the rat brain and body. In the brain, MLNPs induced T1 changes were quantitatively assessed by T1 relaxation time mapping in vivo and compared to post-mortem results from fluorescence imaging. Following intravenous injection of MLNPs, a visible MLNP uptake was seen in the liver and spleen while no visual effect was seen in the brain. However a histogram analysis of T1 changes in the brain demonstrated global and diffuse presence of MLNPs. The magnitude of these T1 changes scaled with post-mortem fluorescence intensity. This study demonstrates the feasibility of tracking even small amounts of magnetite labeled NPs with a sensitive histogram technique in the brain of a living rodent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reinhold Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klaus Langer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Iavor Zlatev
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Ewald Auer
- JSW-Live Sciences GmbH, Grambach, Austria
| | | | | | - Hagen von Briesen
- Department of Cell Biology & Applied Virology, Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, St. Ingbert, Germany
| | - Sylvia Wagner
- Department of Cell Biology & Applied Virology, Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, St. Ingbert, Germany
| | - Julia Stab
- Department of Cell Biology & Applied Virology, Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, St. Ingbert, Germany
| | - Motti Deutsch
- Physics Department, Schottenstein Center for the Research and Technology of the Cellome, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Claus Pietrzik
- Institute of Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Franz Fazekas
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Ropele
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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11
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Feasibility and merits of performing preclinical imaging on clinical radiology and nuclear medicine systems. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR IMAGING 2014; 2013:923823. [PMID: 24490068 PMCID: PMC3892752 DOI: 10.1155/2013/923823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 12/08/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aim. Researchers have limited access to systems dedicated to imaging small laboratory animals. This paper aims to investigate the feasibility and merits of performing preclinical imaging on clinical systems. Materials and Methods. Scans were performed on rat and mouse models of diseases or injuries on four radiology systems, tomosynthesis, computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), based on the availability at the author's institute.
Results. Tomosysthesis delineated soft tissue anatomy and hard tissue structure with superb contrast and spatial resolution at minimal scan time and effort. CT allowed high resolution volumetric visualization of bones. Molecular imaging with PET was useful for detecting cancerous tissue in mouse but at the expense of poor resolution. MRI depicted abnormal or intervened tissue at quality and resolution sufficient for experimental studies. The paper discussed limitations of the clinical systems in preclinical imaging as well as challenges regarding the need of additional gadgets, modifications, or upgrades required for longitudinally scanning animals under anesthesia while monitoring their vital signs. Conclusion. Clinical imaging technologies can potentially make cost-effective and efficient contributions to preclinical efforts in obtaining anatomical, structural, and functional information from the underlying tissue while minimally compromising the data quality in certain situations.
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Feasibility of in vivo quantitative magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion weighted imaging, T2-weighted relaxometry, and diffusion tensor imaging in a clinical 3 tesla magnetic resonance scanner for the acute traumatic spinal cord injury of rats: technical note. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2013; 38:E1242-9. [PMID: 23759823 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0b013e31829ef69c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Prospective longitudinal study. OBJECTIVE To verify the feasibility of performing in vivo quantitative magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of moderate traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats using a clinical 3T scanner. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Animal models of human diseases are essential for translational medicine. Potential treatments of SCI are evaluated in 2 ways: anatomical and functional. Advanced magnetic resonance sequences allow a noninvasive assessment of the spinal cord depicting both. This study describes and validates a very reproducible, feasible, affordable, and reliable method, designed to be applied in commercial 3T equipment, using a novel stereotactic device for spinal cord, leading to a readily available assessment of the progression of damage generated after traumatic SCI in rats. METHODS Four Long-Evans female rats were injured with a New York University weight-drop device to produce the SCI by contusion at thoracic level 10. All animals were placed in a fixation system, using a commercial wrist antenna to obtain magnetic resonance imaging data of the relaxometry time, apparent diffusion coefficient, and fractional anisotropy. Three sets of data obtained before SCI and 1 and 4 weeks after injury were compared. RESULTS The data showed a progressive decline in fractional anisotropy measurements after SCI comparing baseline versus the 1-week period (P < 0.001) and baseline versus the 4-week period (P < 0.019), with a significant progressive increase in apparent diffusion coefficient values and T2 after SCI only in the baseline versus the 4-week period (P < 0.045 and P < 0.024, respectively). CONCLUSION Our results helped us to validate a novel method to acquire highly reproducible and reliable quantitative biomarkers of traumatic SCI in vivo by using a 3T clinical MR scanner coupled with a novel stereotactic device for rats. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
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Lobsien D, Dreyer AY, Stroh A, Boltze J, Hoffmann KT. Imaging of VSOP labeled stem cells in agarose phantoms with susceptibility weighted and T2* weighted MR Imaging at 3T: determination of the detection limit. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62644. [PMID: 23667503 PMCID: PMC3648551 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the detectability of stem cells labeled with very small iron oxide particles (VSOP) at 3T with susceptibility weighted (SWI) and T2* weighted imaging as a methodological basis for subsequent examinations in a large animal stroke model (sheep). MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined ovine mesenchymal stem cells labeled with VSOP in agarose layer phantoms. The experiments were performed in 2 different groups, with quantities of 0-100,000 labeled cells per layer. 15 different SWI- and T2*-weighted sequences and 3 RF coils were used. All measurements were carried out on a clinical 3T MRI. Images of Group A were analyzed by four radiologists blinded for the number of cells, and rated for detectability according to a four-step scale. Images of Group B were subject to a ROI-based analysis of signal intensities. Signal deviations of more than the 0.95 confidence interval in cell containing layers as compared to the mean of the signal intensity of non cell bearing layers were considered significant. RESULTS GROUP A 500 or more labeled cells were judged as confidently visible when examined with a SWI-sequence with 0.15 mm slice thickness. Group B: 500 or more labeled cells showed a significant signal reduction in SWI sequences with a slice thickness of 0.25 mm. Slice thickness and cell number per layer had a significant influence on the amount of detected signal reduction. CONCLUSION 500 VSOP labeled stem cells could be detected with SWI imaging at 3 Tesla using an experimental design suitable for large animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Lobsien
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
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Neurovascular protection by targeting early blood-brain barrier disruption with neurotrophic factors after ischemia-reperfusion in rats*. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2013; 33:557-66. [PMID: 23299242 PMCID: PMC3618392 DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2012.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The 'new penumbra' concept imbues the transition between injury and repair at the neurovascular unit with profound implications for selecting the appropriate type and timing of neuroprotective interventions. In this conceptual study, we investigated the protective effects of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and compared them with the properties of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. We initiated a delayed intervention 3 hours after reperfusion using equimolar amounts of PEDF and EGF. These agents were then administered intravenously for 4 hours following reperfusion after 1 hour of focal ischemia. Magnetic resonance imaging indices were characterized, and imaging was performed at multiple time points post reperfusion. PEDF and EGF reduced lesion volumes at all time points as observed on T2-weighted images (T2-LVs). In addition PEDF selectively attenuated lesion volume expansion at 48 hours after reperfusion and persistently modulated blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability at all time points. Intervention with peptides is suspected to cause edema formation at distant regions. The observed T2-LV reduction and BBB modulation by these trophic factors is probably mediated through a number of diverse mechanisms. A thorough evaluation of neurotrophins is still necessary to determine their time-dependent contributions against injury and their modulatory effects on repair after stroke.
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Dittmar MS, Petermichl W, Schlachetzki F, Graf BM, Gruber M. Isoflurane induces endothelial apoptosis of the post-hypoxic blood-brain barrier in a transdifferentiated human umbilical vein endothelial cell model. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38260. [PMID: 22723852 PMCID: PMC3377664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2012] [Accepted: 05/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Isoflurane is a popular volatile anesthetic agent used in humans as well as in experimental animal research. In previous animal studies of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), observations towards an increased permeability after exposure to isoflurane are reported. In this study we investigated the effect of a 2-hour isoflurane exposure on apoptosis of the cerebral endothelium following 24 hours of hypoxia in an in vitro BBB model using astrocyte-conditioned human umbilical vein endothelial cells (AC-HUVECs). Apoptosis of AC-HUVECs was investigated using light microscopy of the native culture for morphological changes, Western blot (WB) analysis of Bax and Bcl-2, and a TUNEL assay. Treatment of AC-HUVECs with isoflurane resulted in severe cellular morphological changes and a significant dose-dependent increase in DNA fragmentation, which was observed during the TUNEL assay analysis. WB analysis confirmed increases in pro-apoptotic Bax levels at 4 hours and 24 hours and decreases in anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 in a dose-dependent manner compared with the control group. These negative effects of isoflurane on the BBB after a hypoxic challenge need to be taken into account not only in experimental stroke research, but possibly also in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Dittmar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Regensburg University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.
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Gerig G, Oguz I, Gouttard S, Lee J, An H, Lin W, McMurray M, Grewen K, Johns J, Styner MA. Synergy of image analysis for animal and human neuroimaging supports translational research on drug abuse. Front Psychiatry 2011; 2:53. [PMID: 22013425 PMCID: PMC3189614 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2011.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2011] [Accepted: 09/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in animal models of neuropathology is of increasing interest to the neuroscience community. In this work, we present our approach to create optimal translational studies that include both animal and human neuroimaging data within the frameworks of a study of post-natal neuro-development in intra-uterine cocaine-exposure. We propose the use of non-invasive neuroimaging to study developmental brain structural and white matter pathway abnormalities via sMRI and DTI, as advanced MR imaging technology is readily available and automated image analysis methodology have recently been transferred from the human to animal imaging setting. For this purpose, we developed a synergistic, parallel approach to imaging and image analysis for the human and the rodent branch of our study. We propose an equivalent design in both the selection of the developmental assessment stage and the neuroimaging setup. This approach brings significant advantages to study neurobiological features of early brain development that are common to animals and humans but also preserve analysis capabilities only possible in animal research. This paper presents the main framework and individual methods for the proposed cross-species study design, as well as preliminary DTI cross-species comparative results in the intra-uterine cocaine-exposure study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Gerig
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ipek Oguz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sylvain Gouttard
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute, University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Joohwi Lee
- Department of Computer Science, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hongyu An
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Weili Lin
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Matthew McMurray
- Department of Psychology, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Karen Grewen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Josephine Johns
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Martin Andreas Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of North CarolinaChapel Hill, NC, USA
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