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A Pair of Indicators for Characterizing Cerebral Microbleeds Based on Raman Spectrum and Two-Photon Imaging
Xin Su1,2, Jianhui Wan3, Zixi Zheng1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Functional Materials and Devices, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) lead to cognitive decline, linked to the axonal structure composed of phospholipid bilayers. Current methods are difficult to obtain in situ changes of biochemical component concentration during CMB. In this study, by Raman spectrum and two-photon imaging, we achieve in situ changes in the information of biochemical components concentration during CMB. The overall concentration of phospholipids in the damaged tissue significantly decreases after CMB, forming a large region of low concentration, but the relative concentration of phosphatidylinositol (PI) increases, reflecting the inhibition role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Accordingly, two-photon images of neurons show a clear decrease in the number of axons, indicating a close correlation between phospholipid hydrolysis and axon damage, as well as cognitive impairment. Therefore, the decrease in phospholipid concentration and the increase in the PI concentration might serve as a pair of indicators for characterizing CMB and its relationship with cognitive decline.
Insights
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) cause cognitive decline. This study reveals decreased phospholipids and increased phosphatidylinositol (PI) in damaged brain tissue, correlating with axon damage and cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with cognitive decline.
- Axonal damage, involving phospholipid bilayers, is a key feature of CMBs.
- Current methods struggle to assess in situ biochemical changes during CMBs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in situ changes in biochemical component concentrations during CMBs.
- To correlate these biochemical changes with axonal damage and cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Raman spectroscopy and two-photon imaging for in situ analysis.
- Quantified concentrations of phospholipids and phosphatidylinositol (PI).
- Assessed axonal integrity in neuronal imaging.
Main Results:
- Observed a significant decrease in overall phospholipid concentration in CMB-affected tissue.
- Detected a relative increase in phosphatidylinositol (PI) concentration.
- Found a decrease in axon numbers, correlating with phospholipid changes and cognitive impairment.
Conclusions:
- Decreased phospholipid and increased PI concentrations may indicate CMBs and associated cognitive decline.
- Phospholipid hydrolysis is closely linked to axon damage and cognitive impairment.
- The PI3K/Akt pathway appears to play an inhibitory role in CMB progression.
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