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MR perfusion, diffusion and BOLD imaging of methotrexate-exposed swine brain
Minna J Mäkiranta1, Satu Lehtinen, Jukka P T Jauhiainen
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. Minna.Makiranta@oulu.fi
Purpose:
To evaluate the methotrexate (MTX)-exposed swine brain, functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including perfusion, diffusion, and blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) contrast imaging, was used.
Material And Methods:
Juvenile pigs received either 2 x 5 g/m(2), or 5 x 2 g/m(2) MTX intravenously within one month. MRI was performed (sedative: propofol) before (14-17 kg, N = 6) and after (21-27 kg, N = 4) the MTX exposure. Also, age-matched controls (22-27 kg, N = 4) were imaged.
Results:
After the MTX exposure, reduced (from 2%-4% to 0%-1%) or negative (-2% to -3%) BOLD responses were detected; apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) or relative perfusion values did not change.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that MTX-related changes in the brain may be detected as changes in flow-metabolism coupling as reduced or negative response (for somatosensory activation) in the BOLD contrast MRI. The contrast agent perfusion MRI, without absolute quantification, may not show global damage in brain perfusion related to the MTX exposure in the swine model used. ADC (in one direction) may not indicate MTX-related changes in the brain.
Insights
Methotrexate (MTX) exposure in juvenile pigs altered brain blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) responses, indicating potential flow-metabolism coupling changes. Perfusion and diffusion MRI did not reveal global MTX-related brain damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapy agent with known neurotoxicity.
- Assessing MTX-induced brain changes is crucial for understanding its side effects.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers non-invasive methods to evaluate brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MTX-induced alterations in the swine brain using fMRI techniques.
- To evaluate the utility of perfusion, diffusion, and BOLD contrast imaging in detecting MTX-related brain changes.
Main Methods:
- Juvenile pigs received intravenous MTX at two different dosages.
- fMRI, including perfusion, diffusion, and BOLD imaging, was performed before and after MTX exposure.
- Age-matched control pigs were also imaged for comparison.
Main Results:
- Reduced or negative BOLD responses were observed after MTX exposure during somatosensory activation.
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values did not significantly change.
- Relative perfusion values also remained unchanged, suggesting no global perfusion damage.
Conclusions:
- BOLD contrast MRI can detect MTX-related changes in brain flow-metabolism coupling.
- Perfusion MRI, without absolute quantification, may not be sensitive to global MTX-induced brain damage in this model.
- ADC may not be a reliable indicator of MTX-related brain changes.