title: Use of magnetization transfer contrast MRI to detect early molecular pathology in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine if magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging could be used to detect early macromolecular accumulation in a mouse model of early Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained MTC images at 9.4 T at three different age points in the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The Tg2576 mouse exhibits increased amyloid beta deposition that eventually progresses into amyloid beta plaque formation, increased hyper-phosphorylated tau but does not exhibit neurodegeneration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results show an increase in the MTC signal that predates plaque formation and reported learning and memory deficits in the Tg2576 mouse. This increase in the MTC signal was reversed in a model of antioxidant therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTC magnetic resonance imaging can be used to detect early macromolecular changes in the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The source of the MTC contrast is likely complex and warrants further investigation in additional preclinical models that represent early and late stage Alzheimer's disease pathologies.
authors: Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors: Carlos J
authors: CJ
authors: Pérez-Torres
authors: Julia O
authors: JO
authors: Reynolds
authors: Robia G
authors: RG
authors: Pautler
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D058227:Amyloidogenic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D057089:Pathology, Molecular / Q000379:methods*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D058227:Amyloidogenic Proteins; D003287:Contrast Media; C558298:Mapt protein, mouse; D016875:tau Proteins
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; MRI; amyloid beta; magnetization transfer