Scott C. Davis1, Lisa H. Treat, 12,
Edgar Alfonso Romero-Sandoval2,3, Kimberley S. Samkoe1,
Brian W. Pogue1, Joyce A. DeLeo2,3
1Thayer School of Engineering,
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States; 2Department of
Anesthesiology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States; 3Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States
Glial
reactivity plays an important role in the biochemical processes associated
with acute and chronic pain and neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, and multiple sclerosis. This study
demonstrates the potential to image Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)
expression in the brains of rats after peripheral nerve injury using
MR-guided fluorescence molecular tomography (MRg-FMT). MRg-FMT images showed elevated GFAP
expression in the brains of injured animals, indicating enhanced astrocytic
reactivity as compared to control animals.
Quantitative imaging of glial reactivity in vivo would be an important
innovation for investigating and deploying new treatment strategies that
target glial mechanisms.