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Regional brain blood flow in mouse: quantitative measurement using a single-pass radio-tracer method and a
K Xu1, K Radhakrishnan, A Serhal
1Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 30, 2011
Summary
This study presents a reliable radio-tracer method for measuring regional cerebral blood flow in mice. The technique, adapted from rat studies, accurately quantifies blood flow, proving effective for neuroscience research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Accurate measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) is crucial for understanding brain function and disease.
- Existing methods for measuring rCBF in rodents often require complex procedures or lack precision.
- Previous work established a dual-label indicator method for simultaneous blood flow and glucose influx measurement in rat brains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a reliable experimental method for measuring local regional cerebral blood flows in anesthetized mice.
- To adapt and extend a well-established single-pass dual-label indicator method for application in mice.
- To assess the sensitivity and accuracy of the developed method by comparing experimental measurements with predictions from a mathematical algorithm.
Main Methods:
- Development of a single-pass radio-tracer method for measuring regional cerebral blood flow in anesthetized C57BL6J mice (n=10).
- Application of the radio-tracer technique to quantify regional blood flows in ml/min/g.
- Utilization of a mathematical algorithm to predict blood flows based on arterial tracer concentration, and comparison with experimental measurements.
Main Results:
- Measured regional cerebral blood flows ranged from 0.7 to 1.7 ml/min/g, consistent with previously reported values in rats.
- Predicted blood flows, derived using a linear arterial tracer concentration ramp, showed strong agreement with experimental measurements (R(2) = 0.99, slope = 0.91).
- The developed radio-tracer method demonstrated high reliability and sensitivity in quantifying local regional cerebral blood flow in mice.
Conclusions:
- The single-pass radio-tracer method provides a reliable means for measuring local regional cerebral blood flow in anesthetized mice.
- This method is a valuable extension of existing techniques and suitable for rodent brain research.
- The findings support the utility of this experimental approach for future neuroscience studies investigating cerebral hemodynamics.
