Meeting Banner
Abstract #1781

The preservation state of ethanol-fixated historic brain specimens revealed by quantitative MRI

Gunther Helms 1 , Walter J Schulz-Schaeffer 2 , and Renate Schweizer 3

1 Cognitive Neurology, Gttingen University Medical Center, Gttingen, Germany, 2 Neuropathology, Gttingen University Medical Center, Gttingen, Germany, 3 Biomedizinische NMR ForschungsGmbH, Max-Planck-Institut fr Biophysikalische Chemie, Gttingen, Germany

Four male brains preserved in ethanol for 150 years were studied at 3T by FLASH-based multi-parametric mapping at 0.6mm resolution for digital asservation. These were compared to recent specimens; an ethanol-fixated bovine brain and a formalin-fixated brain. T1-relaxation in cortex was much faster (R1=5-7 1/s) than after formalin fixation and did not show a "formalin rim". White matter exhibited sub-millimeter tubular cavities (not seen in bovine brain) leading to slower T1 relaxation than in cortex. Magnetization transfer and proton density contrast were strongly reduced. Findings are compatible with rapid extraction of cholesterol and water followed by slow macroscopic degeneration.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.

Keywords