Abstract #0914
Comparison of Genetic and Environmental Murine Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Fixed Spinal Cords Using MR Microscopy
Grant S, Petrik M, Shan X, Blackband S, Wilson J, Schulz J, Shaw C, Singh S, Krieger C
Florida State University, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Murine models of familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) employ mice over-expressing human mutant SOD1 (mSOD) genes while sporadic ALS may be better represented in mice fed a cycad neurotoxin. In this study, spinal cord tissue from mSOD mice were compared to previous studies of cycad-fed mice using MR microscopy performed at 17.6 T. Volumetric analysis of 3D images acquired at ~40-micron isotropic resolutions showed significantly decreased volumes in total grey (-16%) and white matter (-20%) of mSOD lumbar cords. Previously, cycad-fed lumbar cords showed similarly decreased volumes in lumbar spinal cord grey matter but no involvement of the white matter.
