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Mohan K, Gasparoni G, Salhab A, Orlich MM, Geffers R, Hoffmann S, Adams RH, Walter J, Nordheim A. Age-Associated Changes in Endothelial Transcriptome and Epigenetic Landscapes Correlate With Elevated Risk of Cerebral Microbleeds. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e031044. [PMID: 37609982 PMCID: PMC10547332 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.031044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Stroke is a leading global cause of human death and disability, with advanced aging associated with elevated incidences of stroke. Despite high mortality and morbidity of stroke, the mechanisms leading to blood-brain barrier dysfunction and development of stroke with age are poorly understood. In the vasculature of brain, endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the core component of the blood-brain barrier and provide a physical barrier composed of tight junctions, adherens junctions, and basement membrane. Methods and Results We show, in mice, the incidents of intracerebral bleeding increases with age. After isolating an enriched population of cerebral ECs from murine brains at 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, we studied age-associated changes in gene expression. The study reveals age-dependent dysregulation of 1388 genes, including many involved in the maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and vascular integrity. We also investigated age-dependent changes on the levels of CpG methylation and accessible chromatin in cerebral ECs. Our study reveals correlations between age-dependent changes in chromatin structure and gene expression, whereas the dynamics of DNA methylation changes are different. Conclusions We find significant age-dependent downregulation of the Aplnr gene along with age-dependent reduction in chromatin accessibility of promoter region of the Aplnr gene in cerebral ECs. Aplnr is associated with positive regulation of vasodilation and is implicated in vascular health. Altogether, our data suggest a potential role of the apelinergic axis involving the ligand apelin and its receptor to be critical in maintenance of the blood-brain barrier and vascular integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshitij Mohan
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
| | | | | | - Michael M. Orlich
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
| | - Robert Geffers
- Genome AnalyticsHelmholtz Centre for Infection ResearchBraunschweigGermany
| | - Steve Hoffmann
- Leibniz Institute on AgingFritz Lipmann InstituteJenaGermany
| | - Ralf H. Adams
- Department of Tissue MorphogenesisMax Planck Institute for Molecular BiomedicineMünsterGermany
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of SaarlandSaarbrückenGermany
| | - Alfred Nordheim
- Interfaculty Institute of Cell BiologyUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
- Leibniz Institute on AgingFritz Lipmann InstituteJenaGermany
- International Max Planck Research School “From Molecules to Organisms”TübingenGermany
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2
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Jullienne A, Szu JI, Quan R, Trinh MV, Norouzi T, Noarbe BP, Bedwell AA, Eldridge K, Persohn SC, Territo PR, Obenaus A. Cortical cerebrovascular and metabolic perturbations in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1220036. [PMID: 37533765 PMCID: PMC10392850 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1220036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The 5xFAD mouse is a popular model of familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) that is characterized by early beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and cognitive decrements. Despite numerous studies, the 5xFAD mouse has not been comprehensively phenotyped for vascular and metabolic perturbations over its lifespan. Methods Male and female 5xFAD and wild type (WT) littermates underwent in vivo 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging at 4, 6, and 12 months of age to assess regional glucose metabolism. A separate cohort of mice (4, 8, 12 months) underwent "vessel painting" which labels all cerebral vessels and were analyzed for vascular characteristics such as vessel density, junction density, vessel length, network complexity, number of collaterals, and vessel diameter. Results With increasing age, vessels on the cortical surface in both 5xFAD and WT mice showed increased vessel length, vessel and junction densities. The number of collateral vessels between the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the anterior and posterior cerebral arteries decreased with age but collateral diameters were significantly increased only in 5xFAD mice. MCA total vessel length and junction density were decreased in 5xFAD mice compared to WT at 4 months. Analysis of 18F-FDG cortical uptake revealed significant differences between WT and 5xFAD mice spanning 4-12 months. Broadly, 5xFAD males had significantly increased 18F-FDG uptake at 12 months compared to WT mice. In most cortical regions, female 5xFAD mice had reduced 18F-FDG uptake compared to WT across their lifespan. Discussion While the 5xFAD mouse exhibits AD-like cognitive deficits as early as 4 months of age that are associated with increasing Aβ deposition, we only found significant differences in cortical vascular features in males, not in females. Interestingly, 5xFAD male and female mice exhibited opposite effects in 18F-FDG uptake. The MCA supplies blood to large portions of the somatosensory cortex and portions of motor and visual cortex and increased vessel length alongside decreased collaterals which coincided with higher metabolic rates in 5xFAD mice. Thus, a potential mismatch between metabolic demand and vascular delivery of nutrients in the face of increasing Aβ deposition could contribute to the progressive cognitive deficits seen in the 5xFAD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Jullienne
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Jenny I. Szu
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Ryan Quan
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Michelle V. Trinh
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Tannoz Norouzi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Brenda P. Noarbe
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Amanda A. Bedwell
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kierra Eldridge
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Scott C. Persohn
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Paul R. Territo
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Andre Obenaus
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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3
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Koemans EA, Chhatwal JP, van Veluw SJ, van Etten ES, van Osch MJP, van Walderveen MAA, Sohrabi HR, Kozberg MG, Shirzadi Z, Terwindt GM, van Buchem MA, Smith EE, Werring DJ, Martins RN, Wermer MJH, Greenberg SM. Progression of cerebral amyloid angiopathy: a pathophysiological framework. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:632-642. [PMID: 37236210 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00114-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, which is defined by cerebrovascular deposition of amyloid β, is a common age-related small vessel pathology associated with intracerebral haemorrhage and cognitive impairment. Based on complementary lines of evidence from in vivo studies of individuals with hereditary, sporadic, and iatrogenic forms of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, histopathological analyses of affected brains, and experimental studies in transgenic mouse models, we present a framework and timeline for the progression of cerebral amyloid angiopathy from subclinical pathology to the clinical manifestation of the disease. Key stages that appear to evolve sequentially over two to three decades are (stage one) initial vascular amyloid deposition, (stage two) alteration of cerebrovascular physiology, (stage three) non-haemorrhagic brain injury, and (stage four) appearance of haemorrhagic brain lesions. This timeline of stages and the mechanistic processes that link them have substantial implications for identifying disease-modifying interventions for cerebral amyloid angiopathy and potentially for other cerebral small vessel diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma A Koemans
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jasmeer P Chhatwal
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susanne J van Veluw
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellis S van Etten
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Matthias J P van Osch
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Hamid R Sohrabi
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Future Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Mariel G Kozberg
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zahra Shirzadi
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gisela M Terwindt
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Mark A van Buchem
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Eric E Smith
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David J Werring
- Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Ralph N Martins
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Future Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Marieke J H Wermer
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Steven M Greenberg
- Department of Neurology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Chang R, Sumbria RK. Quantitative Evaluation of Cerebral Microhemorrhages in the Mouse Brain. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2616:181-190. [PMID: 36715935 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2926-0_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral microhemorrhages are microscopic bleeds in the brain parenchyma and are the pathological substrates of cerebral microbleeds. Clinically and in mouse models, detection of cerebral microhemorrhages involves the use of magnetic resonance imaging and/or postmortem neuropathology techniques including hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining to detect extravasated red blood cells and fresh/acute microhemorrhages and Prussian blue staining to detect iron released from extravasated red blood cells and subacute/old microhemorrhages. Here we describe the step-by-step procedure for mouse brain processing and H & E and Prussian blue staining and quantification of acute (H & E-positive) and subacute (Prussian blue-positive) cerebral microhemorrhages in mouse brain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy Chang
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Rachita K Sumbria
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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5
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Blood-brain barrier leakage in Alzheimer's disease: From discovery to clinical relevance. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 234:108119. [PMID: 35108575 PMCID: PMC9107516 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. AD brain pathology starts decades before the onset of clinical symptoms. One early pathological hallmark is blood-brain barrier dysfunction characterized by barrier leakage and associated with cognitive decline. In this review, we summarize the existing literature on the extent and clinical relevance of barrier leakage in AD. First, we focus on AD animal models and their susceptibility to barrier leakage based on age and genetic background. Second, we re-examine barrier dysfunction in clinical and postmortem studies, summarize changes that lead to barrier leakage in patients and highlight the clinical relevance of barrier leakage in AD. Third, we summarize signaling mechanisms that link barrier leakage to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in AD. Finally, we discuss clinical relevance and potential therapeutic strategies and provide future perspectives on investigating barrier leakage in AD. Identifying mechanistic steps underlying barrier leakage has the potential to unravel new targets that can be used to develop novel therapeutic strategies to repair barrier leakage and slow cognitive decline in AD and AD-related dementias.
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6
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Leinenga G, Bodea L, Schröder J, Sun G, Zhou Y, Song J, Grubman A, Polo JM, Götz J. Transcriptional signature in microglia isolated from an Alzheimer's disease mouse model treated with scanning ultrasound. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 8:e10329. [PMID: 36684089 PMCID: PMC9842024 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial scanning ultrasound combined with intravenously injected microbubbles (SUS+MB) has been shown to transiently open the blood-brain barrier and reduce the amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology in the APP23 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This has been accomplished through the activation of microglial cells; however, their response to the SUS treatment is incompletely understood. Here, wild-type (WT) and APP23 mice were subjected to SUS+MB, using nonsonicated mice as sham controls. After 48 h, the APP23 mice were injected with methoxy-XO4 to label Aβ aggregates, followed by microglial isolation into XO4+ and XO4- populations using flow cytometry. Both XO4+ and XO4- cells were subjected to RNA sequencing and transcriptome profiling. The analysis of the microglial cells revealed a clear segregation depending on genotype (AD model vs. WT mice) and Aβ internalization (XO4+ vs. XO4- microglia), but interestingly, no differences were found between SUS+MB and sham in WT mice. Differential gene expression analysis in APP23 mice detected 278 genes that were significantly changed by SUS+MB in the XO4+ cells (248 up/30 down) and 242 in XO- cells (225 up/17 down). Pathway analysis highlighted differential expression of genes related to the phagosome pathway and marked upregulation of cell cycle-related transcripts in XO4+ and XO4- microglia isolated from SUS+MB-treated APP23 mice. Together, this highlights the complexity of the microglial response to transcranial ultrasound, with potential applications for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Leinenga
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of QueenslandBrisbane (St Lucia Campus)QueenslandAustralia
| | - Liviu‐Gabriel Bodea
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of QueenslandBrisbane (St Lucia Campus)QueenslandAustralia
| | - Jan Schröder
- Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology and the Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Giuzhi Sun
- Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology and the Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Yichen Zhou
- Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology and the Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jae Song
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of QueenslandBrisbane (St Lucia Campus)QueenslandAustralia
| | - Alexandra Grubman
- Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology and the Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jose M. Polo
- Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology and the Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of QueenslandBrisbane (St Lucia Campus)QueenslandAustralia
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7
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Marazuela P, Paez-Montserrat B, Bonaterra-Pastra A, Solé M, Hernández-Guillamon M. Impact of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Two Transgenic Mouse Models of Cerebral β-Amyloidosis: A Neuropathological Study. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094972. [PMID: 35563362 PMCID: PMC9103818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathological accumulation of parenchymal and vascular amyloid-beta (Aβ) are the main hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA), respectively. Emerging evidence raises an important contribution of vascular dysfunction in AD pathology that could partially explain the failure of anti-Aβ therapies in this field. Transgenic mice models of cerebral β-amyloidosis are essential to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying amyloid accumulation in the cerebrovasculature and its interactions with neuritic plaque deposition. Here, our main objective was to evaluate the progression of both parenchymal and vascular deposition in APP23 and 5xFAD transgenic mice in relation to age and sex. We first showed a significant age-dependent accumulation of extracellular Aβ deposits in both transgenic models, with a greater increase in APP23 females. We confirmed that CAA pathology was more prominent in the APP23 mice, demonstrating a higher progression of Aβ-positive vessels with age, but not linked to sex, and detecting a pronounced burden of cerebral microbleeds (cMBs) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In contrast, 5xFAD mice did not present CAA, as shown by the negligible Aβ presence in cerebral vessels and the occurrence of occasional cMBs comparable to WT mice. In conclusion, the APP23 mouse model is an interesting tool to study the overlap between vascular and parenchymal Aβ deposition and to evaluate future disease-modifying therapy before its translation to the clinic.
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8
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Wang HL, Zhang CL, Qiu YM, Chen AQ, Li YN, Hu B. Dysfunction of the Blood-brain Barrier in Cerebral Microbleeds: from Bedside to Bench. Aging Dis 2021; 12:1898-1919. [PMID: 34881076 PMCID: PMC8612614 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are a disorder of cerebral microvessels that are characterized as small (<10 mm), hypointense, round or ovoid lesions seen on T2*-weighted gradient echo MRI. There is a high prevalence of CMBs in community-dwelling healthy older people. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the significance of CMBs in stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, gait disturbances and late-life depression. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is considered to be the event that initializes CMBs development. However, the pathogenesis of CMBs has not yet been clearly elucidated. In this review, we introduce the pathogenesis of CMBs, hypertensive vasculopathy and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and review recent research that has advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction and CMBs presence. CMBs-associated risk factors can exacerbate BBB breakdown through the vulnerability of BBB anatomical and functional changes. Finally, we discuss potential pharmacological approaches to target the BBB as therapy for CMBs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - An-qi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Ya-nan Li
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
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9
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van Veluw SJ, Frosch MP, Scherlek AA, Lee D, Greenberg SM, Bacskai BJ. In vivo characterization of spontaneous microhemorrhage formation in mice with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:82-91. [PMID: 31987010 PMCID: PMC7747164 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19899377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of microhemorrhages in the context of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) remains poorly understood. Here we used in vivo two-photon microscopy in aged APP/PS1 mice with mild-to-moderate CAA to assess the formation of microhemorrhages and their spatial relationship with vascular Aβ depositions in the surrounding microvascular network. Mice with chronic cranial windows were intravenously injected with fluorescent dextran to visualize the vessels and a fluorescently labeled anti-fibrin antibody to visualize microhemorrhages. Focal vessel irradiations resulted in extravascular fibrin-positive clots at individual rupture sites that remained visible for weeks. Spontaneous extravascular fibrin-positive clots were more often observed in 19-month-old transgenic APP/PS1 mice compared to their wild-type littermate controls (p = 0.039), after heparin administration. In the transgenic mice, these spontaneous leakage sites frequently occurred at arteriolar segments without CAA at bifurcations or vessel bends. These findings suggest that the presence of vascular Aβ per se does not directly predispose vessels to leak, but that complex flow dynamics within CAA-affected vascular networks likely play a role. Our in vivo approach for the detection of individual spontaneous leakage sites may be used in longitudinal studies aimed to assess structural and functional alterations at the single-vessel level leading up to microhemorrhage formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne J van Veluw
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown Navy Yard, MA, USA.,J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P Frosch
- Neuropathology Service, C.S. Kubik Laboratory for Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashley A Scherlek
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown Navy Yard, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Lee
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown Navy Yard, MA, USA
| | - Steven M Greenberg
- J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian J Bacskai
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown Navy Yard, MA, USA
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10
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Stringer MS, Lee H, Huuskonen MT, MacIntosh BJ, Brown R, Montagne A, Atwi S, Ramirez J, Jansen MA, Marshall I, Black SE, Zlokovic BV, Benveniste H, Wardlaw JM. A Review of Translational Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Human and Rodent Experimental Models of Small Vessel Disease. Transl Stroke Res 2020; 12:15-30. [PMID: 32936435 PMCID: PMC7803876 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-020-00843-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major health burden, yet the pathophysiology remains poorly understood with no effective treatment. Since much of SVD develops silently and insidiously, non-invasive neuroimaging such as MRI is fundamental to detecting and understanding SVD in humans. Several relevant SVD rodent models are established for which MRI can monitor in vivo changes over time prior to histological examination. Here, we critically review the MRI methods pertaining to salient rodent models and evaluate synergies with human SVD MRI methods. We found few relevant publications, but argue there is considerable scope for greater use of MRI in rodent models, and opportunities for harmonisation of the rodent-human methods to increase the translational potential of models to understand SVD in humans. We summarise current MR techniques used in SVD research, provide recommendations and examples and highlight practicalities for use of MRI SVD imaging protocols in pre-selected, relevant rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Stringer
- Brain Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hedok Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mikko T Huuskonen
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bradley J MacIntosh
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rosalind Brown
- Brain Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Axel Montagne
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Atwi
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joel Ramirez
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maurits A Jansen
- Edinburgh Preclinical Imaging, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian Marshall
- Brain Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sandra E Black
- Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Berislav V Zlokovic
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Helene Benveniste
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Brain Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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11
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Taylor EN, Huang N, Wisco J, Wang Y, Morgan KG, Hamilton JA. The brains of aged mice are characterized by altered tissue diffusion properties and cerebral microbleeds. J Transl Med 2020; 18:277. [PMID: 32641073 PMCID: PMC7346388 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02441-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain aging is a major risk factor in the progression of cognitive diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia. We investigated a mouse model of brain aging up to 24 months old (mo). Methods A high field (11.7T) MRI protocol was developed to characterize specific features of brain aging including the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), morphology of grey and white matter, and tissue diffusion properties. Mice were selected from age categories of either young (3 mo), middle-aged (18 mo), or old (24 mo) and fed normal chow over the duration of the study. Mice were imaged in vivo with multimodal MRI, including conventional T2-weighted (T2W) and T2*-weighted (T2*W) imaging, followed by ex vivo diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and T2*W MR-microscopy to enhance the detection of microstructural features. Results Structural changes observed in the mouse brain with aging included reduced cortical grey matter volume and enlargement of the brain ventricles. A remarkable age-related change in the brains was the development of CMBs found starting at 18 mo and increasing in total volume at 24 mo, primarily in the thalamus. CMBs presence was confirmed with high resolution ex vivo MRI and histology. DWI detected further brain tissue changes in the aged mice including reduced fractional anisotropy, increased radial diffusion, increased mean diffusion, and changes in the white matter fibers visualized by color-coded tractography, including around a large cortical CMB. Conclusions The mouse is a valuable model of age-related vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). In composite, these methods and results reveal brain aging in older mice as a multifactorial process including CMBs and tissue diffusion alterations that can be well characterized by high field MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik N Taylor
- Department of Radiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA. .,Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nasi Huang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Wisco
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yandan Wang
- Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - James A Hamilton
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Li D, Zhào H, Wei W, Liu N, Dr Huang Y. Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30394401 DOI: 10.3791/58423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral microhemorrhages (CMHs) are common in aged patients and are correlated to various neuropsychiatric disorders. The etiology of CMHs is complex, and neuroinflammation is often observed as a co-occurrence. Here, we describe a sub-acute CMHs rat model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, as well as a method for detecting CMHs. Systemic LPS injection is relatively simple, economical, and cost-effective. One major advantage of LPS injection is its stability to induce inflammation. CMHs caused by LPS injection could be detected by gross observation, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Perl's Prussian staining, Evans blue (EB) double-labeling, and magnetic resonance imaging-susceptibility weighted imaging (MRI-SWI) technology. Finally, other methods of developing CMHs animal models, including their advantages and/or disadvantages, are also discussed in this report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University; Department of Neurology, PLA Army General Hospital
| | - Hóngyi Zhào
- Department of Neurology, PLA Army General Hospital; Department of Neurology, NO 261 Hospital of PLA
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurology, PLA Army General Hospital
| | - Nan Liu
- Department of Neurology, PLA Army General Hospital
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Lipopolysaccharide Induces Subacute Cerebral Microhemorrhages with Involvement of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Rats. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2018; 27:1905-1913. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Shih AY, Hyacinth HI, Hartmann DA, van Veluw SJ. Rodent Models of Cerebral Microinfarct and Microhemorrhage. Stroke 2018; 49:803-810. [PMID: 29459393 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.117.016995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andy Y Shih
- From the Department of Neuroscience (A.Y.S., D.A.H.) and Center for Biomedical Imaging (A.Y.S.), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, GA (H.I.H.); and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (S.J.v.V.).
| | - Hyacinth I Hyacinth
- From the Department of Neuroscience (A.Y.S., D.A.H.) and Center for Biomedical Imaging (A.Y.S.), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, GA (H.I.H.); and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (S.J.v.V.)
| | - David A Hartmann
- From the Department of Neuroscience (A.Y.S., D.A.H.) and Center for Biomedical Imaging (A.Y.S.), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, GA (H.I.H.); and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (S.J.v.V.)
| | - Susanne J van Veluw
- From the Department of Neuroscience (A.Y.S., D.A.H.) and Center for Biomedical Imaging (A.Y.S.), Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC; Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, GA (H.I.H.); and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (S.J.v.V.)
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15
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Leinenga G, Götz J. Safety and Efficacy of Scanning Ultrasound Treatment of Aged APP23 Mice. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:55. [PMID: 29467614 PMCID: PMC5808306 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide leads to amyloid plaques that together with tau deposits characterize the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In modeling this pathology, transgenic animals such as the APP23 strain, that expresses a mutant form of the amyloid precursor protein found in familial cases of AD, have been instrumental. In previous studies, we have shown that repeated treatments with ultrasound in a scanning mode (termed scanning ultrasound or SUS) were effective in removing Aβ and restoring memory functions, without the need for a therapeutic agent such as an Aβ antibody. Considering that age is the most important risk factor for AD, we extended this study in which the mice were only 12 months old at the time of treatment by assessing a cohort of 2 year-old mice. Interestingly, at this age, APP23 mice are characterized by cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and the presence of occasional microbleeds. We found that SUS in aged mice that have been exposed to four SUS sessions that were spread out over 8 weeks and analyzed 4 weeks later did not show evidence of increased CAA or microbleeds. Furthermore, amyloid was reduced as assessed by methoxy-XO4 fluorescence. In addition, plaque-associated microglia were more numerous in SUS treated mice. Together this adds to the notion that SUS may be a treatment modality for human neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Leinenga
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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16
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Animal models of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131:2469-2488. [PMID: 28963121 DOI: 10.1042/cs20170033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), due to vascular amyloid β (Aβ) deposition, is a risk factor for intracerebral haemorrhage and dementia. CAA can occur in sporadic or rare hereditary forms, and is almost invariably associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Experimental (animal) models are of great interest in studying mechanisms and potential treatments for CAA. Naturally occurring animal models of CAA exist, including cats, dogs and non-human primates, which can be used for longitudinal studies. However, due to ethical considerations and low throughput of these models, other animal models are more favourable for research. In the past two decades, a variety of transgenic mouse models expressing the human Aβ precursor protein (APP) has been developed. Many of these mouse models develop CAA in addition to senile plaques, whereas some of these models were generated specifically to study CAA. In addition, other animal models make use of a second stimulus, such as hypoperfusion or hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), to accelerate CAA. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive review of existing animal models for CAA, which can aid in understanding the pathophysiology of CAA and explore the response to potential therapies.
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Marinescu M, Sun L, Fatar M, Neubauer A, Schad L, van Ryn J, Lehmann L, Veltkamp R. Cerebral Microbleeds in Murine Amyloid Angiopathy: Natural Course and Anticoagulant Effects. Stroke 2017; 48:2248-2254. [PMID: 28706123 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.117.017994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) predispose patients to intracerebral hemorrhage. Preclinical models to examine the effects of antithrombotic treatments on the development of clinically overt intracerebral hemorrhage are needed. We examined the natural course of CMB development and the effects of long-term anticoagulation with warfarin or dabigatran on cerebral micro- and macrohemorrhage in mice overexpressing the APP23 (amyloid precursor protein). METHODS Repeated susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed in APP23 mice at the age of 18 and 21 months, respectively. After establishing stable long-term anticoagulation effects of warfarin and dabigatran on number and total volume of CMBs, the outcome parameters were compared with nonanticoagulated control. RESULTS CMBs were equally located in lobar and deep brain regions, and number and total volume of CMBs increased over time. Anticoagulation with either warfarin or dabigatran did not increase CMBs in APP23 significantly. Mice treated with warfarin numerically had a higher mortality (nonanticoagulated: 31%; dabigatran: 35% versus warfarin: 55%; P=0.21). In postmortem brains of prematurely dying animals warfarin caused significantly more frequently large intracerebral hemorrhage than control and dabigatran. CONCLUSIONS Anticoagulation with warfarin or dabigatran for 3 to 4 months does not promote the formation of CMBs in aged APP23 mice. Nevertheless, warfarin but not dabigatran is associated with a higher risk of extensive intracerebral hemorrhage, suggesting that this model may allow preclinical safety evaluation of antithrombotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Marinescu
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.)
| | - Li Sun
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.)
| | - Marc Fatar
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.)
| | - Andreas Neubauer
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.)
| | - Lothar Schad
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.)
| | - Joanne van Ryn
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.)
| | - Lorenz Lehmann
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.)
| | - Roland Veltkamp
- From the Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, United Kingdom (M.M., R.V.); Departments of Neurology (M.M., L.S., R.V.) and Cardiology (L.L.), University of Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim (M.F.), Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine (A.N., L.S.), University Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany; and Department of Cardiometabolic Research, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, Germany (J.v.R.).
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