Validation of diffusion tensor imaging measures of nigrostriatal neurons in macaques.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Interpretation of diffusion MRI in the living brain requires validation against gold standard histological measures. We compared diffusion values of the nigrostriatal tract to PET and histological results in non-human primates (NHPs) with varying degrees of unilateral nigrostriatal injury induced by MPTP, a toxin selective for dopaminergic neurons.

Methods

Sixteen NHPs had MRI and PET scans of three different presynaptic radioligands and blinded video-based motor ratings before and after unilateral carotid artery infusion of variable doses of MPTP. Diffusion measures of connections between midbrain and striatum were calculated. Then animals were euthanized to quantify striatal dopamine concentration, stereologic measures of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immuno

SUBMITTER: Shimony JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6124722 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature