title: Quantitative 3D investigation of Neuronal network in mouse spinal cord model.
abstract: The investigation of the neuronal network in mouse spinal cord models represents the basis for the research on neurodegenerative diseases. In this framework, the quantitative analysis of the single elements in different districts is a crucial task. However, conventional 3D imaging techniques do not have enough spatial resolution and contrast to allow for a quantitative investigation of the neuronal network. Exploiting the high coherence and the high flux of synchrotron sources, X-ray Phase-Contrast multiscale-Tomography allows for the 3D investigation of the neuronal microanatomy without any aggressive sample preparation or sectioning. We investigated healthy-mouse neuronal architecture by imaging the 3D distribution of the neuronal-network with a spatial resolution of 640 nm. The high quality of the obtained images enables a quantitative study of the neuronal structure on a subject-by-subject basis. We developed and applied a spatial statistical analysis on the motor neurons to obtain quantitative information on their 3D arrangement in the healthy-mice spinal cord. Then, we compared the obtained results with a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Our approach paves the way to the creation of a "database" for the characterization of the neuronal network main features for a comparative investigation of neurodegenerative diseases and therapies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanotechnology-CNR c/o Physics Department at 'Sapienza' University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bukreeva
authors.affiliation: Institute of Crystallography-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanotechnology-CNR c/o Physics Department at 'Sapienza' University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.|Fondazione Santa Lucia I.R.C.C.S., Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fratini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova &AUO San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spanò
authors.affiliation: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.affiliation: I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed, Località Camerelle, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Santa Lucia I.R.C.C.S., Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Roma, Italy.|Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi, Piazza del Viminale 1, 00184 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giove
authors.affiliation: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38043 Grenoble, Cedex France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bravin
authors.affiliation: University of Genova DINOGMI Largo Daneo, 3 IT-16132 Genova, Italy.|IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uccelli
authors.affiliation: University of Genova DINOGMI Largo Daneo, 3 IT-16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Venturi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova &AUO San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mastrogiacomo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nanotechnology-CNR c/o Physics Department at 'Sapienza' University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cedola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D051379:Mice; D055806:Microvessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D017356:Synchrotrons