[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

different MRI scans, clinical global motor score and histopathological data will be conducted. A
methodology based on mechanical measurements of brain structures such as MRE might open
new possibilities for the early detection and the management of central demyelinating disorders
such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer‟s disease.
Disclosures: E. Diguet , None; B. Larrat, None; M. Fink, None; R. Sinkus, None; E. Yang,
None.
Poster
251. Demyelinating Disorders: Animal Models and Human Studies I
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 251.13/W6
Topic: C.08.b. Animal models
Support: NIH Grant NS39293
DBSCIP Grant F170TP
NMSS Grant RG3515
Title: Axonal involvement in early stage cuprizone demyelination of mouse corpus callosum
Authors: *J. E. TOBIN 1 , M. XIE 2 , T. Q. LE 1 , D. MCDANIEL 1 , S.-K. SONG 2 , R. C.
ARMSTRONG 1 ;
1 Anatomy, Physiology,& Genet., USUHS, Bethesda, MD; 2 Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO
Abstract: Animal models of demyelinating disease facilitate analysis of pathogenesis and repair
mechanisms as well as development of novel imaging modalities. We used the model of 0.2%
cuprizone fed to adult male C57Bl/6 mice to induce reproducible demyelination of the corpus
callosum (CC). Previously, we demonstrated axonal injury in the CC early in the course of
cuprizone treatment (2 - 6 wks, most extensive at 4 wks) reflected as decreased axial diffusion
measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Axon damage during this early treatment phase was
also indicated by β-amyloid precursor protein accumulation. In the current study, we more
specifically examined axonal parameters in mice fed cuprizone for 4 wks. In vivo DTI of treated
and non-treated mice indicated rostro-caudal differences in pathology from analysis of midline
regions-of-interest taken as 0.5 mm coronal slices encompassing the entire CC. Axial diffusivity
was not altered in the most rostral CC (bregma +1.0 mm) while a significant decrease was seen
in all other regions, with the largest decrease in the most caudal slice (bregma -2.5 mm).
Ultrastructural analysis showed a higher proportion of demyelinated axons in the caudal versus