In vivo diffusion tensor imaging of amyloid-β-induced white matter damage in mice.
BACKGROUND
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) suggests the presence of white matter abnormality at the prodromal stage in human Alzheimer's disease (AD).


OBJECTIVE
To use a mouse model of AD to determine whether the white matter abnormality detected by in vivo DTI is associated with functional deficits and axon damage.


METHODS
Amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) was injected into the left lateral ventricle in mice. Two months after the injection, in vivo DTI and visual evoked potential (VEP) recordings were performed, followed by immunohistochemistry of phosphorylated neurofilament and myelin basic protein.


RESULTS
DTI of Aβ1-42-treated mice showed a significant increase of radial diffusivity in white matter including the optic nerves and tracts. The abnormality was associated with decreased amplitude and increased latency of VEP. Immunohistochemistry confirmed a significant loss of axons and myelin integrity.


CONCLUSIONS
White matter damage induced by Aβ1-42 in mice can be detected non-invasively by DTI.
Basic Science, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, CA, USA Radiation Medicine, School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, CA, USA Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, Loma Linda University, CA, USA Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
Shu-Wei
SW
Sun
Hsiao-Fang
HF
Liang
Jennifer
J
Mei
Dan
D
Xu
Wei-Xing
WX
Shi
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000633:toxicity*
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; C499047:Mbp protein, mouse; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C075222:amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
Amyloid-<formula>$\beta_{1-42}$</formula>; diffusion tensor imaging; mice; optic nerve; white matter diseases