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Neuroanatomical phenotypes in the reeler mouse.
Alexandra Badea1, Peter J Nicholls, G Allan Johnson
1Center for In Vivo Microscopy, Box 3302, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Neuroimage
|December 23, 2006
Summary
The reeler mouse model reveals significant brain structural differences, including smaller brains and enlarged ventricles, offering insights into neurological conditions like Norman-Roberts lissencephaly.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- The reeler mouse (Reln) is a model for neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Previous studies used histochemistry and electron microscopy.
Purpose of the Study:
- Quantify neuromorphology in reeler mice using magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM).
- Compare neuroanatomical phenotypes of heterozygous and homozygous reeler mice to wild types.
- Identify specific brain regions affected by the Reln mutation.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Microscopy (MRM) at 21.5 microm resolution.
- Morphometry and texture analysis of brain structures.
- Gadolinium-based active staining for hippocampal layer analysis.
Main Results:
- Reeler mice (Reln(rl/rl)) have smaller brains and increased ventricles compared to wild types (WT).
- Significant shape differences observed in cerebellum, olfactory bulbs, cortex, and hippocampus.
- Hippocampal layers are disorganized and show thickness variations in reeler mice.
Conclusions:
- MRM reveals novel neuroanatomical phenotypes in reeler mice.
- The reeler mouse model's brain structure phenocopies aspects of Norman-Roberts lissencephaly.
- Specific brain regions are differentially impacted by the Reln mutation.
