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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Induction and Diverse Assessment Indicators of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: September 9, 2022
Monitoring diffuse injury during disease progression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis with on resonance
Aline M Thomas1, Jiadi Xu2, Peter A Calabresi3
1The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that targets myelin proteins and results in extensive damage in the central nervous system in the form of focal lesions as well as diffuse molecular changes. Lesions are currently detected using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, monitoring such lesions has been shown to be a poor predictor of disease progression. Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI is sensitive to many of the biomolecules in the central nervous system altered in MS that cannot be detected using conventional MRI. We monitored disease progression in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS using on resonance variable delay multiple pulse (onVDMP) CEST MRI. Alterations in onVDMP signal were observed in regions responsible for hindlimb function throughout the central nervous system. Histological analysis revealed glial activation in areas highlighted in onVDMP CEST MRI. onVDMP signal changes in the 3rd ventricle preceded paralysis onset that could not be observed with conventional MRI techniques. Hence, the onVDMP CEST MRI signal has potential as a novel imaging biomarker and predictor of disease progression in MS.
Insights
New Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI techniques show promise for tracking multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. This advanced MRI method detects early central nervous system changes, potentially predicting disease worsening before clinical symptoms appear.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease damaging the central nervous system (CNS) and myelin.
- Conventional MRI (T1, T2, gadolinium-enhanced) detects lesions but poorly predicts MS progression.
- Biomolecular changes in MS CNS are often missed by standard MRI techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of on resonance variable delay multiple pulse (onVDMP) Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI for monitoring disease progression in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS.
- To identify novel imaging biomarkers for early detection of MS-related CNS changes.
Main Methods:
- Disease progression in an EAE model of MS was monitored using onVDMP CEST MRI.
- onVDMP signal alterations were analyzed in CNS regions associated with hindlimb function.
- Histological analysis was performed to correlate MRI findings with glial activation.
Main Results:
- Alterations in onVDMP signal were detected in CNS regions critical for hindlimb function.
- Histological examination confirmed glial activation in areas identified by onVDMP CEST MRI.
- Changes in the 3rd ventricle onVDMP signal preceded paralysis onset, a finding not visible with conventional MRI.
Conclusions:
- The onVDMP CEST MRI signal is sensitive to molecular changes in the CNS during MS progression.
- onVDMP CEST MRI shows potential as a novel imaging biomarker for predicting MS disease progression.
- This technique may offer earlier detection of disease activity compared to conventional MRI methods.
