title: A complementary diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-histological study in a model of Huntington's disease.
abstract: In vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on the quinolinic acid (QUIN) rat model of Huntington's disease, together with behavioral assessment of motor deficits and histopathological characterization. DTI and histology revealed the presence of a cortical lesion in 53% of the QUIN animals (QUIN(+ctx)). Histologically, QUIN(+ctx) were distinguished from QUIN(-ctx) animals by increased astroglial reaction within a subregion of the caudate putamen and loss of white matter in the external capsula. Although both techniques are complementary, the quantitative character of DTI makes it possible to pick up subtle differences in tissue microstructure that are not identified with histology. DTI demonstrated differential changes of fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD) in the internal and external capsula, and within a subregion of the caudate putamen. It was suggested that FA increased due to a selective loss of the subcortical connections targeted by degenerative processes at the early stage of the disease, which might turn the striatum into a seemingly more organized structure. When tissue degeneration becomes more severe, FA decreased while AD, RD and MD increased.
authors: Bio-Imaging Laboratory, University of Antwerp (CGB), Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium.
authors: Nadja
authors: N
authors: Van Camp
authors: Ines
authors: I
authors: Blockx
authors: Lluïsa
authors: L
authors: Camón
authors: Nuria
authors: N
authors: de Vera
authors: Marleen
authors: M
authors: Verhoye
authors: Jelle
authors: J
authors: Veraart
authors: Wim
authors: W
authors: Van Hecke
authors: Emili
authors: E
authors: Martínez
authors: Guadalupe
authors: G
authors: Soria
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Sijbers
authors: Anna M
authors: AM
authors: Planas
authors: Annemie
authors: A
authors: Van der Linden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar