Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Scoring Central Nervous System Inflammation, Demyelination, and Axon Injury in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: February 23, 2024
Improved detectability of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in excised swine spinal cords by high b-value
Inbal E Biton1, Adi Mayk, Dvora Kidron
1School of Chemistry, The Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
Abstract:
Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the primary experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS), which involves both inflammation and demyelination and is known to be species-dependent. Spinal cord abnormalities were found in more than 80% of postmortem specimens of MS patients. In the present study, T1, T2 and high b-value q-space diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used, for the first time, to characterize the EAE model in excised swine spinal cords. The MR images were compared with histological staining and clinical scoring. Although all spinal cords were excised from swine with severe or very severe (clinical score between 3 to 5 on a scale of 5) motor impairments, T1- and T2-weighted MRI revealed white matter (WM) abnormalities in only five of the ten EAE diseased spinal cords studied, while high b-value q-space diffusion weighted MRI (q-space DWI) detected WM abnormalities in all diseased spinal cords studied. Interestingly, high b-value q-space DWI was able to detect abnormalities in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) even in spinal cords where no plaques were identified by the T1- and T2-weighted MR images. Good anatomical correlation was observed between the high b-value q-space MR images and histology. The extent of DWI abnormalities paralleled the clinical scoring and correlated with histology. In addition, areas classified as NAWM by the T1- and T2-weighted MR images that showed abnormalities in the q-space DWI were also found to have abnormal histology. This improved detection level of the EAE model by high b-value q-space DWI over conventional T1-, and T2-weighted MRI is briefly discussed.
Insights
High b-value q-space diffusion-weighted MRI (q-space DWI) detects white matter abnormalities in all experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) swine spinal cords. This advanced MRI technique identified lesions in normal-appearing white matter missed by conventional MRI, correlating with disease severity and histology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Experimental models of neurological disease
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Background:
- Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a key model for multiple sclerosis (MS).
- MS involves spinal cord inflammation and demyelination, with abnormalities seen in over 80% of patient autopsies.
- Conventional MRI techniques have limitations in detecting early or subtle white matter changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate high b-value q-space diffusion-weighted MRI (q-space DWI) for characterizing EAE in swine spinal cords.
- To compare the sensitivity of q-space DWI with conventional T1- and T2-weighted MRI in detecting white matter abnormalities.
- To correlate MRI findings with histological data and clinical scores in the EAE model.
Main Methods:
- Excised swine spinal cords from EAE models were imaged using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and high b-value q-space DWI.
- MR images were compared with histological staining and clinical scoring (3-5 on a 5-point scale).
Main Results:
- High b-value q-space DWI detected white matter abnormalities in all (10/10) EAE spinal cords.
- Conventional T1- and T2-weighted MRI identified abnormalities in only 5/10 EAE spinal cords.
- Q-space DWI revealed abnormalities in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) missed by conventional MRI, correlating with histology and clinical scores.
Conclusions:
- High b-value q-space DWI offers superior sensitivity for detecting white matter pathology in the EAE model compared to conventional MRI.
- This advanced technique can identify lesions in NAWM, providing a more comprehensive assessment of disease.
- Q-space DWI shows promise for improving the characterization and monitoring of EAE and potentially MS.
