Quantification of Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in the Mouse Brain In Vivo: A Longitudinal Study

Jieun Kim¹, Nancy Berman², Phil Lee¹

We have overcome the difficulty of measuring blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in mice longitudinally by combining T1 mapping and using i.p. administration of Gd-DTPA. We have successfully quantified BBB permeability from the signal changes associated with uptake of Gd-DTPA following traumatic brain injury for 2weeks using T1 map. Results show that significant entry of Gd-DTPA into the brain was evident in the injury site at P3&P7 but almost return to normal level at P14. This study demonstrates that the technique can be employed in longitudinal study of BBB permeability in mice brain in vivo.