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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Functional Neuroimaging Using Ultrasonic Blood-brain Barrier Disruption and Manganese-enhanced MRI
Published on: July 12, 2012
Abnormal olfactory function demonstrated by manganese-enhanced MRI in mice with experimental neuropsychiatric lupus
Shaye Kivity1, Galia Tsarfaty, Nancy Agmon-Levin
1Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, affiliated to Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Abstract:
Mice with experimental neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE), induced by anti-ribosomal-P antibodies, developed depression-like behavior and a diminished sense of smell. Manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) allows in vivo mapping of functional neuronal connections in the brain, including the olfactory tract. The aim of this study was to analyze and describe, via the MEMRI technique, the effect of the anti-ribosomal-P injection on the olfactory pathway. Twenty mice were intra-cerebra-ventricular injected to the right hemisphere: 10 with human anti-ribosomal-P antibodies and 10 with human IgG antibodies (control). Depression was addressed by forced swimming test and smell function was evaluated by smelling different concentrations of menthol. MEMRI was used to investigate the olfactory system in these mice. Passive transfer of anti-ribosomal-P to mice resulted in a depression-like behavior, accompanied with a significant deficit in olfactory function. MEMRI of these mice demonstrated significant reduction (P < 0.001) in normalized manganese enhancement ratios of olfactory structures, compared to control mice. We concluded that an impaired olfactory neuronal function in mice with experimental depression, mediated by passive transfer of human-anti-ribosomal-P, can be demonstrated by MEMRI.
Insights
Mice with experimental neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) showed depression-like behavior and reduced smell. Manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) revealed impaired olfactory pathways in these mice, confirming a link between NPSLE and olfactory dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Experimental neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) in mice, induced by anti-ribosomal-P antibodies, presents with depression-like behavior and olfactory deficits.
- Manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) is a technique for in vivo mapping of functional neuronal connections, including the olfactory tract.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of anti-ribosomal-P antibody injection on the olfactory pathway using MEMRI.
- To correlate behavioral and functional changes in the olfactory system of mice with experimental NPSLE.
Main Methods:
- Twenty mice were intra-cerebro-ventricularly injected with either human anti-ribosomal-P antibodies (n=10) or human IgG antibodies (control, n=10).
- Depression-like behavior was assessed using the forced swimming test.
- Olfactory function was evaluated by menthol concentration testing.
- MEMRI was employed to visualize and quantify manganese enhancement in the olfactory system.
Main Results:
- Passive transfer of anti-ribosomal-P antibodies induced depression-like behavior and a significant deficit in olfactory function.
- MEMRI demonstrated a significant reduction in normalized manganese enhancement ratios within olfactory structures of anti-ribosomal-P treated mice compared to controls (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Experimental NPSLE, mediated by passive transfer of anti-ribosomal-P antibodies, leads to impaired olfactory neuronal function.
- MEMRI is effective in demonstrating olfactory pathway dysfunction in a mouse model of depression associated with experimental NPSLE.
