Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Analysis in a Pelizaeus–Merzbacher Disease Rat Model

Abstract

Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder of the central nervous system. We performed 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in Tama rats, a rodent PMD model, and control rats, as well as evaluated the diagnostic values. In the white matter of the Tama rats, the T2 values were prolonged, which is similar to that observed in patients with PMD (60.7 ± 1.8 ms vs. 51.6 ± 1.3 ms, p −3 mm2/s vs. 0.64 ± 0.03 × 10−3 mm2/s, p p p p < 0.001). By using Luxol fast blue staining, we confirmed dysmyelination in the Tama rats. These results are similar to those of patients with PMD and other PMD animal models.

Keywords

• Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease
• dysmyelination
• magnetic resonance imaging
• ¹H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy