Xiaojie Wang1, Tsang-Wei Tu2, Yong Wang3, Sheng-Kwei Song3
1Chemistry, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, United States; 2Mechanical, Aerospace and Structural Engineering, Washington University, Saint louis, MO, United States; 3Radiology, Washington University, Saint louis, MO, United States
Ex Vivo DBSI was performed on mice cords 3 and 14 days post contusion injury on T10 vertebral level. The extend of axon injury, demyelination, inflammation, and tissue loss were estimated using diffusion basis spectrum imaging derived directional diffusivity, cell ratio and water ratio, respectively. In addition to significant axon injury and demyelination, increased cellularity and water component were also observed in injured cords at both time points. DBSI findings are consistent with reported cellular response to SCI, suggesting DBSI could be used as the MRI method simultaneously visualizing axon and myelin integrity, inflammation and tissue loss in white matter.
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