title: Compatibility of Gd-DTPA perfusion and histologic studies of the brain.
abstract: Histology, including immunohistochemistry, and magnetic resonance imaging microscopy (microMRI) are complementary techniques for the analysis of brain structure. Therefore, microMRI analysis, often of formalin-fixed tissue, precedes histologic evaluation of the same experimental animal in many studies. However, the application of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA), while of value for MRI studies, has an unknown effect on subsequent histology. We demonstrate here that for the mouse brain, histology with Nissl staining and immunostaining for microtubule-associated protein 2, using standard techniques for tissue preparation, are unaffected by prior perfusion of the tissue with Gd-DTPA. This conclusion was based on qualitative morphologic comparisons of stained sections, as well as quantification of mean immunofluorescence pixel intensities from Gd-treated (mean+/-S.D.=131.2+/-28.4; n=3) as compared to nontreated specimens (116.2+/-34.7; n=3, P=.7). Therefore, Gd-DTPA may be applied as a microMRI contrast agent in formalin-fixed brain tissue prior to histologic studies.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Unit, National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. spencer@helix.nih.gov
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Fishbein
authors.forename: Aiwu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mattson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA