Abstract #2471

Novel Lesions in the Spinal Cord of the EAE Model of Multiple Sclerosis Identified with SWI MRI

Nabeela Nathoo^1,2, Ying Wu^1,3, Voon Wee Yong^4,5, Samuel Barnes⁶, Andre Obenaus^6,7, Jeff F. Dunn^1,3

¹Experimental Imaging Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; ²Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; ³Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; ⁴Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; ⁵Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; ⁶Biophysics and Bioengineering, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States; ⁷Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States

SWI is an MRI sequence that is sensitive to iron induced perturbations in magnetic field. As iron deposition has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), it is important to study this phenomenon in an animal model of MS. We used SWI MRI to study iron deposition in the EAE animal model of MS. In vivo and ex vivo images of the lumbar spinal cords of EAE mice showed abnormalities and novel lesions on SWI and phase images which could be due to iron deposition. SWI shows great potential to elucidate the link between iron, EAE, and MS.