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Apparent diffusion coefficient on rat brain and nerves intoxicated with methylmercury.
Y Kinoshita1, A Ohnishi, K Kohshi
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.
Environmental Research
|May 20, 1999
Summary
Methylmercury chloride (MMC) causes damage to rat optic nerves, affecting microtubules and neurofilaments. Diffusion-weighted MRI shows increased apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) parallel to optic nerves, indicating toxic effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Methylmercury chloride (MMC) is a known neurotoxin.
- Understanding its specific effects on the nervous system is crucial for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the degenerative changes in rat brain and cranial nerves induced by methylmercury chloride (MMC).
- To evaluate the utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) in detecting these changes.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were administered MMC or saline (control) for 7 days.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including T1- and T2-weighted sequences and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), was performed.
- Electron microscopy was used to examine optic nerve ultrastructure.
Main Results:
- No significant focal changes were observed on conventional MRI in the brains of MMC-treated rats.
- Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) parallel to the optic nerves were significantly increased in the MMC group.
- Electron microscopy revealed decreased microtubules and neurofilaments in the optic nerves of MMC-treated rats.
Conclusions:
- Methylmercury chloride (MMC) causes specific damage to the integrity of microtubules and neurofilaments in rat optic nerves in vivo.
- Diffusion-weighted MRI, particularly ADC measurements, shows promise for evaluating neurotoxic effects of MMC.