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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Metabolomic Analysis of Rat Brain by High Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Tissue Extracts
Published on: September 21, 2014
Sequential changes in MR water proton relaxation time detect the process of rat brain myelination during maturation
M Matsumae1, D Kurita, H Atsumi
1Department of Neurosurgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, Bohseidai, Isehara, 259-1193, Kanagawa, Japan. mike@is.icc.u-tokai.ac.jp
Abstract:
For better understanding of the behavior of water molecules in the animal brain, changes in magnetic resonance water proton relaxation processes were studied in the rat during maturation. Midbrains of male Wistar rats were removed at various time points ranging from 2 to 70 days after birth. Changes in relaxation time (water proton longitudinal relaxation time by the inversion recovery, and water proton transverse relaxation time by the spin echo and the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence (CPMG)) and water content were then determined for various stages of brain development. During maturation both water proton longitudinal relaxation time and water proton transverse relaxation time values decreased and this finding paralleled the decline in water content. Using the CPMG pulse sequence, the transverse relaxation time values were observed to separate into two components after 21 days. Morphologically, the most prominent change at the matured stage of midbrain development in the rat is myelination. Water proton relaxation time, which can be estimated using the CPMG pulse sequence, showed a close correlation with myelination in the central nervous system.
Insights
Water proton relaxation times in the developing rat brain decrease with maturation, correlating with reduced water content and increased myelination. This study reveals key insights into brain development using magnetic resonance techniques.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Understanding water molecule behavior in the brain is crucial for comprehending neural processes.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) techniques offer non-invasive methods to study tissue characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in water proton relaxation times during rat brain maturation.
- To correlate these changes with water content and myelination.
Main Methods:
- Studied midbrains of male Wistar rats at various postnatal ages (2-70 days).
- Measured water proton longitudinal relaxation time (T1) using inversion recovery.
- Measured water proton transverse relaxation time (T2) using spin echo and Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequences.
- Determined water content.
Main Results:
- Both T1 and T2 values decreased during maturation, mirroring a decline in water content.
- T2 values separated into two components after 21 days, observable with the CPMG sequence.
- A strong correlation was found between water proton relaxation time and central nervous system myelination.
Conclusions:
- Water proton relaxation times are sensitive indicators of brain maturation and myelination.
- MR relaxation measurements, particularly T2 using CPMG, can effectively track developmental changes in the brain.
- The findings provide a basis for understanding water dynamics in the developing central nervous system.
