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Using quantitative MRI to study brain responses to immune challenge with interferon-α
Maria Antonietta Nettis1,2, Andrew J Lawrence1,2, Tobias Wood3
1King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.
Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health
|November 8, 2021
Summary
Peripheral interferon-alpha (IFN-α) administration induced acute central nervous system (CNS) changes in healthy humans. Quantitative MRI revealed increased T1 and Proton Density in the hippocampus, suggesting a brain immune response linked to peripheral inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Central Nervous System (CNS) inflammation is implicated in psychiatric disorders.
- Sensitive in vivo human measures of CNS inflammation are lacking.
- Peripheral immune challenges may impact brain function and structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo central nervous system (CNS) response to peripheral immune challenge using quantitative MRI (qMRI).
- To assess if changes in qMRI parameters correlate with peripheral inflammation markers.
- To explore acute brain changes following interferon-alpha (IFN-α) administration.
Main Methods:
- Six healthy males underwent two qMRI scans (T1, T2 relaxation times, Proton Density) before and 24 hours after subcutaneous IFN-α injection.
- Serum immune markers and S100B (blood-brain barrier integrity marker) were measured.
- Region of interest and histogram analyses were performed on MRI data.
Main Results:
- IFN-α administration significantly increased T1 and Proton Density in the bilateral hippocampus.
- Increased T1 in the hippocampus correlated positively with serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha levels.
- Increased T1 in the hippocampus correlated negatively with serum S100B levels.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral IFN-α administration induces acute changes in brain qMRI parameters, suggesting an in vivo brain immune response.
- These qMRI changes are associated with peripheral inflammation markers, supporting the link between systemic immunity and brain changes.
- qMRI may serve as a sensitive tool to detect CNS inflammation in response to peripheral immune challenges.
