Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Registered Bioimaging of Nanomaterials for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Monitoring
Published on: December 9, 2010
High throughput method for detecting murine brain atrophy using a clinical 3T MRI
Michael Linzey1, Krista DiSano2, Nora Welsh3
1Integrative Neuroscience at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, US. michael.linzey20@gmail.com.
Background:
There is a lack of understanding of the mechanisms by which the CNS is injured in multiple sclerosis (MS). Since Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection in SJL/J mice is an established model of progressive disability in MS, and CNS atrophy correlates with progressive disability in MS, we used in vivo MRI to quantify total ventricular volume in TMEV infection. We then sought to identify immunological and virological biomarkers that correlated with increased ventricular size.
Methods:
Mice, both infected and control, were followed for 6 months. Cerebral ventricular volumes were determined by MRI, and disability was assessed by Rotarod. A range of immunological and virological measures was obtained using standard techniques.
Results:
Disability was present in infected mice with enlarged ventricles, while infected mice without enlarged ventricles had Rotarod performance similar to sham mice. Ventricular enlargement was detected as soon as 1 month after infection. None of the immunological and virological measures correlated with the development of ventricular enlargement.
Conclusions:
These results support TMEV infection with brain MRI monitoring as a useful model for exploring the biology of disability progression in MS, but they did not identify an immunological or virological correlate with ventricular enlargement.
Insights
Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection in mice models multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Brain MRI revealed enlarged ventricles correlated with disability, but no biomarkers predicted this enlargement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves central nervous system (CNS) injury with poorly understood mechanisms.
- Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection in SJL/J mice serves as a progressive MS model.
- CNS atrophy correlates with MS disability, highlighting the need to study brain volume changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify total ventricular volume in TMEV-infected mice using in vivo MRI.
- To identify immunological and virological biomarkers associated with increased ventricular size.
- To establish TMEV infection as a model for studying MS disability progression.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal monitoring of TMEV-infected and control mice for 6 months.
- Cerebral ventricular volumes assessed via MRI.
- Disability evaluated using Rotarod performance.
- Immunological and virological measures collected using standard techniques.
Main Results:
- Infected mice with enlarged ventricles exhibited disability; those without enlarged ventricles had performance similar to controls.
- Ventricular enlargement was detectable as early as 1 month post-infection.
- No tested immunological or virological measures correlated with ventricular enlargement.
Conclusions:
- TMEV infection with MRI monitoring is a valuable model for MS disability progression research.
- This study did not identify specific immunological or virological correlates of ventricular enlargement in this MS model.
