Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease causes neurological dysfunction. To understand the neuropathology of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) have been used over the years. EAE is a clinically relevant animal model of MS.
Aim of the study: We aimed to measure neuronal properties of the lumbar spinal cord of the RR-EAE mouse model using a higher order diffusion technique known as neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). We also validated the results of NODDI using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technique.
Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice (n=1/group) was divided into; naïve, sham and EAE. EAE group received an injection containing MOG35-55, adjuvant Quil A, and pertussis toxin (PT). Sham mouse received the same dose of Quil A and pertussis toxin only while naïve mouse received no treatment. We have acquired in vivo and ex vivo higher order diffusion technique (NODDI) and conventional diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) images.
Results: We found a higher ODI values in EAE than in naive and sham mice in vivo; a lower ISO value in EAE and sham than naïve in vivo and ex vivo; and a higher FICVF values in most of the regions of the spinal cord. FA, AD, RD and MD values were lower in EAE than in sham and naïve mice in vivo. Moreover, in vivo ODI values has shown a significant correlation with FA values (r=-0.79, p =0.019).
Conclusion: Our results indicate that the NODDI technique may be useful to improve our understanding of neuronal properties in MS. Moreover, NODDI could be a clinically relevant technique in diagnosing spinal cord impairment.