Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Visualization of acute focal lesions in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by magnetic
Marcel Hunger1, Eike Budinger, Kai Zhong
1Special Laboratory Non-Invasive Brain Imaging, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
Purpose:
To compare the sensitivity and specificity of phase imaging (PI) with other magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods in lesion detection in rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), as an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Materials And Methods:
EAE was induced in rats (n = 14) by subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of myelin basic protein (MBP) and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Control animals (n = 4) were given an s.c. injection of phosphate-buffered saline mixed with CFA. The development of local inflammatory processes, demyelinations, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruptions were monitored over 7 weeks in a 4.7T animal scanner by T1-, T2-, T2*-weighted images, magnetization transfer, and PI in the presence or absence of very small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (VSOP) and confirmed by immunostaining using CD31, CD68, MBP, and albumin antibodies and Gallyas silver staining.
Results:
EAE rats developed time-dependent local inflammations and BBB disruptions but no clear demyelinizations. In histological stainings these processes were trackable as accumulations of phagocytic monocytes and extravasal albumin. In MRI without application of VSOP inflammatory processes were not detectable. MRI in the presence of VSOP revealed inflammatory processes by the appearance of hypointense spots (hs). The specificity of PI to detect hs was similar to T1- and T2*-weighted images The calculated sensitivity was less than in corresponding T2*-weighted images.
Conclusion:
The diagnostic use of PI without VSOP as contrast agent to detect lesions is not recommended at field strength of 4.7T or lower.
Insights
Phase imaging (PI) shows limited sensitivity for detecting lesions in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models of multiple sclerosis (MS) at 4.7T. Without superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (VSOP), PI is not recommended for lesion detection in this setting.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
- Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a widely used animal model for MS.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy in MS models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the sensitivity and specificity of Phase Imaging (PI) with conventional MRI techniques for detecting lesions in a rat model of MS (EAE).
- To evaluate the utility of PI with and without very small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (VSOP) as contrast agents.
Main Methods:
- EAE was induced in rats, and disease progression was monitored over 7 weeks using a 4.7T animal MRI scanner.
- Imaging techniques included T1-, T2-, T2*-weighted imaging, magnetization transfer, and PI, with and without VSOP.
- Histopathological analysis using immunostaining and silver staining confirmed MRI findings.
Main Results:
- EAE rats exhibited time-dependent inflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruptions, but not clear demyelination.
- Inflammatory processes were undetectable by MRI without VSOP.
- MRI with VSOP revealed inflammatory lesions as hypointense spots; PI showed similar specificity to T1- and T2*-weighted images but lower sensitivity than T2*-weighted images.
Conclusions:
- Phase Imaging (PI) without VSOP is not recommended for lesion detection in EAE at 4.7T or lower field strengths.
- The addition of VSOP is necessary for detecting inflammatory lesions using MRI in this model.
- Further research may explore optimized PI sequences or higher field strengths for improved lesion detection in MS models.
