title: Autoimmune optic neuritis in the common marmoset monkey: comparison of visual evoked potentials with MRI and histopathology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the use of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) for the in vivo detection of impaired visual function in a marmoset model of multiple sclerosis. The sensitivity of the VEP recordings was determined by comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline VEPs were recorded in six healthy marmoset monkeys in response to light-flash stimulation. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in four of the six monkeys. Clinical scores were assessed daily, and VEPs were recorded every second week. In vivo MRI and subsequent histopathology of the brains and optic nerves were performed at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After induction of EAE, all four marmosets exhibited clinical signs between day 26 and 38 after immunization. VEPs were normal during the induction phase of the disease, but deteriorated in amplitude with the occurrence of clinical symptoms in all animals. MRI revealed bilateral optic neuritis and signal alterations in the optic tracts and occipital subcortical white matter in two of the animals. In the remaining two animals, MRI detected signal alterations in the occipital subcortical white matter. Histopathologic results were concordant with the MRI findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEPs are an easily accessible noninvasive tool for measuring visual function and diagnosing impairment of the visual pathway in a marmoset EAE model.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saar, Germany. ricarda.diem@uniklinikum-saarland.de
authors.forename: Ricarda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diem
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demmer
authors.forename: Susann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boretius
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Merkler
authors.forename: Barthel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmelting
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Muriel B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sättler
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bähr
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Michaelis
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frahm
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brück
authors.forename: Eberhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002144:Callithrix; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein