Nabeela Nathoo1,2, Ying Wu1,3,
Voon Wee Yong4,5, Samuel Barnes6, Andre Obenaus6,7,
Jeff F. Dunn1,3
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.