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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord
Published on: April 7, 2015
Visualisation of the extent of damage in a rat spinal cord injury model using MR microsopy of the water diffusion
Artur T Krzyzak1, Andrzej Jasiński, Władysław P Weglarz
1H. Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 152 Radzikowskiego St., 31-342 Kraków, Poland. artur.krzyzak@ifj.edu.pl.
Abstract:
Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of the control and traumatic injured spinal cord of a rat in vitro is reported. Experiments were performed on excised spinal cords from 10 Wistar rats, using a home-built 6.4 T MR microscope. MRI and histopathological results were compared. Presented results show that DTI of the spinal cord, perfused with formalin 10 minutes after the injury, can detect changes in water diffusion in white matter (WM) and in gray matter (GM), in areas extending well beyond the region of direct impact. Histology of neurons of the GM shows changes that can be attributed to ischemia. This is in agreement with the observed decrease of diffusion in the injured regions, which may be attributed to the cytotoxic edema due to ischemia. However, the diffusion changes in highly anisotropic WM seem to be caused by a direct action of mechanical force of impact, which significantly distorts the nerve fibers.
Insights
Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can detect spinal cord injury changes beyond the impact zone. DTI reveals diffusion alterations in white and gray matter due to mechanical forces and ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pathology
Background:
- Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant neurological damage.
- Understanding the microstructural changes post-SCI is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers non-invasive methods to study tissue alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) in characterizing in vitro traumatic spinal cord injury.
- To correlate DTI findings with histopathological changes in injured rat spinal cords.
- To assess the extent of tissue damage beyond the primary impact site.
Main Methods:
- Excised spinal cords from 10 Wistar rats were subjected to controlled traumatic injury.
- High-field (6.4 T) Magnetic Resonance (MR) microscopy was employed for DTI acquisition.
- MR images were compared with histopathological analyses of neuronal and white matter integrity.
Main Results:
- DTI successfully detected alterations in water diffusion within both white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) of injured spinal cords.
- Diffusion changes were observed in areas extending beyond the direct site of mechanical impact.
- Histological examination revealed neuronal changes in GM consistent with ischemia, correlating with decreased diffusion.
- WM diffusion changes were attributed to mechanical distortion of nerve fibers.
Conclusions:
- DTI is a sensitive technique for detecting microstructural changes in the spinal cord following traumatic injury.
- Ischemia contributes to diffusion changes in GM, while mechanical forces directly impact WM integrity.
- DTI can identify the spread of injury in spinal cord tissue, offering insights into injury mechanisms.
