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Abstract #0224

Manganese Synaptic Transfer Index (MSTI): A Novel Approach to Assess Neuronal Physiology in Mouse Models of Neurodegeneration

Zheng H, Pautler R, Deshazer M, Smith K
Baylor College of Medicine

It would be extremely useful to have a sensitive, in vivo assay that could detect changes in neurological function. Here we develop an extension of MEMRI tract tracing to measure changes in the efficiency of trans-synaptic manganese transfer. We demonstrate that this is a sensitive biomarker of alterations in brain physiology by analyzing two mouse models with established changes in brain function.