Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 456.12 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Progressive neurodegeneration in the <i>Spastic</i> Han-Wistar rat assessed with magnetic resonance imaging. |
| Authors: |
Agel, R. N.*1
; Cohen, R.1
; Obenaus, A.2
1Dept Biol, California State Univ.-Northridge, Northridge, CA 2CA, 1811 Nordhoff St, 91330, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Techniques in Neuroscience - Staining, Tracing, and Imaging Techniques |
| Session: |
456. Imaging by MRI and PET II Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 14, 2005 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Hall A-C, Board # VV86 |
| Keywords: | glutamate excitotoxicity, MRS, T2-weighted imaging, DWI-weighted imaging |
The spastic Han-Wistar (sHW) rat suffers from glutamate excitotoxicity causing the observed neurodegeneration within the cerebellum (Purkinje cells) and hippocampus (CA3 pyramidal cells). Mutants homozygous for the autosomal trait begin to exhibit motor tremor and hind limb rigidity as early as 25 days of age with progressive ataxic symptoms resulting in mortality at 60 days of age. We hypothesized that this neurodegeneration could be observed non-invasively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) of selected brain regions in the sHW rat. Mutant and normal siblings were imaged at 4.7 T using T2- and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and MRS at 25, 40, and 55 days post-natal. Neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, retrospinal and piriform cortices, and cerebellum were quantified and brain volume reductions were calculated. MRS assessment of brain metabolites was limited to the hippocampus. At 55 days, subjects were sacrificed and imaged at 11.7 T for MR microscopy, followed by conventional histology. T2 and DWI values were sensitive for detecting neurodegeneration in the mutant, which was supported by a reduction in brain volume over the 55-day course compared to littermate controls. Analysis of the T2-weighted images showed an approximately 2% reduction in brain volume between 25 and 40 days post-natal in the cerebellum, hippocampus and cortex. By 55 days post-natal, there was an approximately 8% reduction in brain volume seen in the same brain regions. MRS results supported the observation of increased glutamate (GluX) levels in the hippocampus of the mutant rat. A significant difference in metabolites, specifically glutamate, was noted at 55 days post-natal. These data suggest that MRI and MRS are sensitive enough to be used as a diagnostic tool for assessment of pathology in progressive neurodegenerative disorders.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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