Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain in APP Transgenic Mice: A Cohort Study

作者:Mueller Hans Peter; Kassubek Jan; Vernikouskaya Ina; Ludolph Albert C; Stiller Detlef; Rasche Volker
来源:PLos One, 2013, 8(6): UNSP e67630.
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0067630

摘要

Introduction: Fast in-vivo high resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the mouse brain has recently been shown to enable cohort studies by the combination of appropriate pulse sequences and cryogenically cooled resonators (CCR). The objective of this study was to apply this DTI approach at the group level to beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: Twelve mice (5 wild type, 7 APP transgenic tg2576) underwent DTI examination at 156(2) x 250 mu m(3) spatial resolution with a CCR at ultrahigh field (11.7 T). Diffusion images were acquired along 30 gradient directions plus 5 references without diffusion encoding with a total acquisition time of 35 minutes. Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were statistically compared by whole brain-based spatial statistics (WBSS) at the group level vs. wild type controls. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: FA-map comparison showed characteristic regional patterns of differences between the groups with localizations associated with Alzheimer%26apos;s disease in humans, such as the hippocampus, the entorhinal cortex, and the caudoputamen. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusion: In this proof-of-principle study, regions associated with amyloid-beta deposition could be identified by WBSS of FA maps in APP transgenic mice vs. wild type mice. Thus, DTI in the mouse brain acquired at 11.7 T by use of a CCR was demonstrated to be feasible for cohort studies.

  • 出版日期2013-6-28