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Inhomogeneous magnetization transfer MRI of white matter structures in the hypomyelinated shiverer mouse brain
Choong Heon Lee1, Piotr Walczak2, Jiangyang Zhang1
1Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
Purpose:
Inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) MRI is uniquely sensitive to myelin with lipids as a primary source of its contrast. In this study, we investigated whether ihMT can detect white matter structures in the hypomyelinated shiverer mouse brain, a model of dysmyelination.
Methods:
Conventional MT and ihMT images were acquired from ex vivo Rag2-/- control and shiverer mouse brains at 7T using previously reported optimized saturation parameters.
Results:
ihMT ratio (ihMTR) maps revealed hypomyelinated corpus callosum in the shiverer mouse brain, whereas conventional MT ratio (MTR) maps showed no clear contrast. The ihMTR values of the corpus callosum in the shiverer mice were reduced by approximately 40% compared to controls, but remained significantly higher than the ihMTR values of the cortex.
Conclusion:
The finding further confirms ihMT's high myelin specificity and suggests its use as a marker to detect early myelination or myelin repair.
Insights
Inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) MRI effectively detects hypomyelination in the shiverer mouse brain. This sensitive myelin imaging technique shows promise for monitoring myelination and repair.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biophysics
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Background:
- Lipids are a primary source of contrast in inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) MRI, making it sensitive to myelin.
- The shiverer mouse model exhibits dysmyelination, offering a unique system to test myelin-specific imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of ihMT MRI in detecting white matter structures in the hypomyelinated shiverer mouse brain.
- To assess the sensitivity of ihMT compared to conventional Magnetization Transfer (MT) imaging in a model of dysmyelination.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo ihMT and conventional MT MRI were performed on control and shiverer mouse brains at 7T.
- Optimized saturation parameters were utilized for image acquisition.
Main Results:
- ihMT ratio (ihMTR) maps clearly visualized hypomyelination in the corpus callosum of shiverer mice.
- Conventional MT ratio (MTR) maps did not show significant contrast in the affected white matter.
- Shiverer mice exhibited approximately 40% reduced ihMTR in the corpus callosum compared to controls, but values remained higher than cortical tissue.
Conclusions:
- ihMT MRI demonstrates high myelin specificity, confirming its utility in detecting myelin-related changes.
- The findings suggest ihMT can serve as a valuable marker for assessing early myelination or myelin repair processes.
