Abstract #3401

Vanhoutte G, Van der Linden A, Kumar-Singh S, Van Broeckhoven C, Vanbroeck B

Using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), this study investigates changes in regional fractional anisotropy (FA) in the brain of APP_Au transgenic mouse, a model of intracellular beta-amyloid diffuse plaque deposition associated with Alzheimer's disease. We showed reductions in FA values in comparison with control mice for both white and gray matter: cortex, corpus callosum, hippocampus and cerebellum. Because of its correlation with tissue microstructure and non invasive nature, DTI offers unique insights in the underlying cellular architecture. DTI-based observed abnormalities are becoming a valid tool as a potential biomarker of AD-associated pathology.