Abstract #0342

Treatment Efficacy of FTY720 on Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice Assessed by in vivo Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging

Xiaojie Wang¹, Yong Wang², Anne H. Cross³,⁴, Sheng-Kwei Song²,⁴

¹Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States; ²Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States; ³Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States; ⁴Hope Center of Neurological DIsorders, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States

In vivo DBSI was performed on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice undergoing daily treatment with 1 mg/kg FTY720 beginning immediately after immunization. Axon and myelin integrity of optical nerves was assessed using axial and radial diffusivity, respectively, while inflammation extent was evaluated using cellularity and edema water ratio derived by DBSI. Prophylactic treatment with FTY720 prevented optic neuritis in mice induced to develop EAE and preserved optic nerve axons and white matter integrity. The findings suggest that in vivo DBSI may serve as a non-invasive tool to assess the efficacy of disease modifying interventions in EAE and potentially MS.