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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Utilizing 3D Printing Technology to Merge MRI with Histology: A Protocol for Brain Sectioning
Published on: December 6, 2016
3-Dimensional visualization of lesions in rat brain using magnetic resonance imaging microscopy
D S Lester1, R C Lyon, G N McGregor
1Division of Applied Pharmacology Research, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
Abstract:
High-resolution (< 50 microm) magnetic resonance imaging microscopy (MRM) has been used to identify brain regions and localization of excitotoxin-induced lesions in fixed rat brains, subsequently confirmed using standard histology. The anatomical extent of lesions identified by MRM was identical to that seen in histological sections and various histopathological changes could be visualized. In contrast to the time involved in preparing and examining histological sections, lesions in intact brains could be rapidly identified and visualized in three dimensions by examining digitally generated sections in any plane. This study shows that MRM has tremendous potential as a prescreening tool for neurotoxicity and neuropathology. These observations suggest that MRM has the potential to affect pathology much as conventional MRI has influenced clinical imaging.
Insights
High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging microscopy (MRM) accurately identifies brain lesions in rats, offering a faster alternative to histology for neurotoxicity and neuropathology research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Imaging
- Pathology
Background:
- Histology is the standard for examining brain tissue.
- Histological preparation is time-consuming.
- Excitotoxin-induced lesions are used to model neuropathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging microscopy (MRM) for identifying excitotoxin-induced brain lesions in fixed rat brains.
- To compare the accuracy and efficiency of MRM with standard histology.
- To assess MRM's potential as a prescreening tool for neurotoxicity and neuropathology.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution MRM (< 50 microm) was performed on fixed rat brains with excitotoxin-induced lesions.
- Lesion identification and anatomical extent via MRM were compared to standard histological analysis.
- Digital sections from MRM data were analyzed in three dimensions.
Main Results:
- MRM precisely identified brain regions and localized excitotoxin-induced lesions.
- The anatomical extent of lesions detected by MRM matched histological findings.
- Various histopathological changes were visualized using MRM.
- MRM allowed rapid, three-dimensional visualization of lesions in intact brains.
Conclusions:
- MRM is a highly accurate method for identifying and characterizing brain lesions.
- MRM offers a significant time advantage over traditional histology for lesion analysis.
- MRM shows great potential as a prescreening tool in neurotoxicity and neuropathology studies.
- MRM may revolutionize neuropathology assessment, similar to MRI's impact on clinical imaging.
