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Tracking brain maturation in vivo: functional connectivity, white matter integrity, and synaptic density in
Charissa Millevert1, Nicholas Vidas-Guscic2, Mohit H Adhikari2
1Applied & Translational Neurogenomics Group, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium; Dept. of Neurology, University Hospital, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium; University of Antwerp, μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium.
Mouse brain development shows decreasing functional connectivity and synaptic density from infancy to adulthood, mirroring human patterns. This study provides a framework for neurodevelopmental disorder research in mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Understanding neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) requires studying dynamic brain development.
- Rodent models offer a shorter developmental timeline for studying brain maturation.
- Longitudinal, multimodal imaging is crucial for characterizing developmental changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize normal brain maturation in mice using longitudinal, multimodal imaging.
- To establish a framework for rodent neurodevelopmental studies.
- To provide a foundation for NDD research and therapeutic assessment in mice.
Main Methods:
- In vivo imaging study on 31129/Sv mice (n=22).
- Utilized resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and [18F]SynVesT-1 PET.
- Examined functional connectivity, white matter integrity, and synaptic density across three developmental stages: infancy, juvenile, and adulthood.
Main Results:
- Observed decreased functional connectivity and synaptic density from infancy to juvenile stages.
- Noted increased fractional anisotropy (FA) and decreased diffusivity (RD) during development.
- Found that synaptic density and functional connectivity stabilized from juvenile to adulthood, with continued increases in FA and decreases in RD.
Conclusions:
- Mouse brain development patterns mirror human development, highlighting translational relevance.
- Infant mice capture critical developmental changes, validating their use in NDD research.
- This study establishes a robust framework for normal rodent neurodevelopment and future therapeutic research.
