Secondary Degeneration of White Matter After Focal Sensorimotor Cortical Ischemic Stroke in Rats

Zhaoqing Li; Zhaoqing Li; Huan Gao; Huan Gao; Pingmei Zeng; Yinhang Jia; Yinhang Jia; Xueqian Kong; Kedi Xu; Kedi Xu; Kedi Xu; Ruiliang Bai; Ruiliang Bai; Ruiliang Bai; Ruiliang Bai

doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.611696

Frontiers in Neuroscience (Jan 2021)

Secondary Degeneration of White Matter After Focal Sensorimotor Cortical Ischemic Stroke in Rats

Zhaoqing Li,
Zhaoqing Li,
Huan Gao,
Huan Gao,
Pingmei Zeng,
Yinhang Jia,
Yinhang Jia,
Xueqian Kong,
Kedi Xu,
Kedi Xu,
Kedi Xu,
Ruiliang Bai,
Ruiliang Bai,
Ruiliang Bai,
Ruiliang Bai

Affiliations

Zhaoqing Li: Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Zhaoqing Li: Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Huan Gao: Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Huan Gao: Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies (QAAS), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Pingmei Zeng: Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Yinhang Jia: Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Yinhang Jia: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Xueqian Kong: Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Kedi Xu: Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Kedi Xu: Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies (QAAS), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Kedi Xu: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Ruiliang Bai: Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Ruiliang Bai: Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Education Ministry, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Ruiliang Bai: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
Ruiliang Bai: Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardio-Cerebral Vascular Detection Technology and Medicinal Effectiveness Appraisal, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.611696
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14

Abstract

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Ischemic lesions could lead to secondary degeneration in remote regions of the brain. However, the spatial distribution of secondary degeneration along with its role in functional deficits is not well understood. In this study, we explored the spatial and connectivity properties of white matter (WM) secondary degeneration in a focal unilateral sensorimotor cortical ischemia rat model, using advanced microstructure imaging on a 14 T MRI system. Significant axonal degeneration was observed in the ipsilateral external capsule and even remote regions including the contralesional external capsule and corpus callosum. Further fiber tractography analysis revealed that only fibers having direct axonal connections with the primary lesion exhibited a significant degeneration. These results suggest that focal ischemic lesions may induce remote WM degeneration, but limited to fibers tied to the primary lesion. These “direct” fibers mainly represent perilesional, interhemispheric, and subcortical axonal connections. At last, we found that primary lesion volume might be the determining factor of motor function deficits.

Published in Frontiers in Neuroscience

ISSN: 1662-4548 (Print); 1662-453X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/neuroscience

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