In vivo Volumetric, DTI and ¹H MRS Rat Brain Protocol for Monitoring Early Neurodegeneration and Efficacy of the Used Therapy

The aim of our study was to develop a multimodal experimental protocol for in vivo imaging and metabolic parameters (MRI, DTI and ¹H MRS) in an animal model of neurodegeneration. We have successfully developed the protocol for simultaneous DTI/MRI/¹H MRS measurement to ensure unaltered conditions for repeatable non-invasive experiments. In this experiment, diffusion tensor imaging, spectroscopic and volumetric “bio-markers” were generated in the brain for the D-galactose model of “age-related dementia”. The hippocampal relative volume, taurine and myo-inositol relative concentrations were found to be significant predictors contributing to the differences between the groups of rats treated with D-galactose in simulated “neurodegeneration”, even in response to the applied Huperzine A therapy.