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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord
Published on: April 7, 2015
Diffusion tensor microscopy data (15.6 μm in-plane) of white matter tracts in the human, pig, and rat spinal cord
Jeremy J Flint1, Brian Hansen2, Stephen J Blackband3
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Abstract:
The following article contains nine diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) datasets acquired with magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM, 15.6 μm in-plane). All data was collected in the region bordering the ventral horn and white matter of cross sections from the spinal cord enlargements along with each sample׳s corresponding tissue histology. These data are collected in fixed spinal cord sections of varying thicknesses taken from rat (2×21 direction DTI datasets), pig (1×21 direction DTI dataset), and human (5×21 direction DTI datasets + 1×6 direction DTI dataset) tissue sources. Following MRM acquisition, the sections were histologically processed using Nissl or Black-Gold II (Histo-Chem Inc., 1BGII) myelin stain and imaged again using light microscopy techniques. Methodological procedures are an amalgamation of protocol components described previously (doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.04.031 [1], doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.04.052 [2]).
Insights
This study presents diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) datasets from rat, pig, and human spinal cords, including histology. These high-resolution MRM datasets offer valuable insights into spinal cord white matter and ventral horn structures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Imaging
- Histology
Background:
- Spinal cord imaging requires high resolution to visualize microstructural details.
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) provides insights into white matter tract integrity.
- Magnetic Resonance Microscopy (MRM) enables high-resolution imaging of biological tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a curated collection of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) datasets from rat, pig, and human spinal cords.
- To provide corresponding histological data for detailed microstructural correlation.
- To facilitate research on spinal cord white matter and ventral horn organization.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of nine DTI datasets using Magnetic Resonance Microscopy (MRM) at 15.6 μm in-plane resolution.
- Collection of fixed spinal cord cross-sections from rat, pig, and human tissues.
- Histological processing using Nissl or Black-Gold II myelin stain followed by light microscopy.
Main Results:
- High-resolution DTI datasets (varying directions per species) of spinal cord enlargements.
- Paired histological images (Nissl and myelin stains) for each DTI dataset.
- Detailed microstructural information of the ventral horn and white matter border.
Conclusions:
- The presented DTI and histology datasets offer a valuable resource for studying spinal cord microanatomy.
- This data can advance research into white matter tract organization and neurodegenerative diseases.
- The combined imaging and histological approach provides comprehensive insights into spinal cord structure.
