MRI as a tool to study brain structure from mouse models for mental retardation

Marleen Verhoye; Jan Sijbers; R. F. Kooy; E. Reyniers; E. Fransen; B. A. Oostra; Peter Willems; Anne-Marie Van der Linden

doi:10.1117/12.312577

3 July 1998 MRI as a tool to study brain structure from mouse models for mental retardation

Marleen Verhoye, Jan Sijbers, R. F. Kooy, E. Reyniers, E. Fransen, B. A. Oostra, Peter Willems, Anne-Marie Van der Linden

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3337, Medical Imaging 1998: Physiology and Function from Multidimensional Images; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.312577
Event: Medical Imaging '98, 1998, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Nowadays, transgenic mice are a common tool to study brain abnormalities in neurological disorders. These studies usually rely on neuropathological examinations, which have a number of drawbacks, including the risk of artefacts introduced by fixation and dehydration procedures. Here we present 3D Fast Spin Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in combination with 2D and 3D segmentation techniques as a powerful tool to study brain anatomy. We set up MRI of the brain in mouse models for the fragile X syndrome (FMR1 knockout) and Corpus callosum hypoplasia, mental Retardation, Adducted thumbs, Spastic paraplegia and Hydrocephalus (CRASH) syndrome (L1CAM knockout). Our major goal was to determine qualitative and quantitative differences in specific brain structures. MRI of the brain of fragile X and CRASH patients has revealed alterations in the size of specific brain structures, including the cerebellar vermis and the ventricular system. In the present MRI study of the brain from fragile X knockout mice, we have measured the size of the brain, cerebellum and 4^th ventricle, which were reported as abnormal in human fragile X patients, but found no evidence for altered brain regions in the mouse model. In CRASH syndrome, the most specific brain abnormalities are vermis hypoplasia and abnormalities of the ventricular system with some degree of hydrocephalus. With the MRI study of L1CAM knockout mice we found vermis hypoplasia, abnormalities of the ventricular system including dilatation of the lateral and the 4^th ventricles. These subtle abnormalities were not detected upon standard neuropathological examination. Here we proved that this sensitive MRI technique allows to measure small differences which can not always be detected by means of pathology.

Citation Download Citation

Marleen Verhoye, Jan Sijbers, R. F. Kooy, E. Reyniers, E. Fransen, B. A. Oostra, Peter Willems, and Anne-Marie Van der Linden "MRI as a tool to study brain structure from mouse models for mental retardation", Proc. SPIE 3337, Medical Imaging 1998: Physiology and Function from Multidimensional Images, (3 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.312577

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available