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Abstract #5111

A Novel Ultra-High b-Value Diffusion-Weighted MRI Technique for ALS Diagnosis and Disease Tracking in Mouse Spinal Cords In vivo

Jin Gao1, Richard Magin2, Danilo Erricolo2,3, and Weiguo Li2,4
1Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States, 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States, 3Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States, 4Research Resources Center, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Microstructure, Diffusion/other diffusion imaging techniques

Motivation: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) significantly impacts global human health, but its etiology remains unclear.

Goal(s): To develop a novel diffusion-weighted MRI technique to detect early changes in ALS-affected spinal cord in vivo.

Approach: We applied ultra-high b-values by using long diffusion time to examine the restricted diffusion in spinal white matter tracts in SOD1G93A mice at ages of 75 and 90 days.

Results: Significant differences were found in diffusion of ventral roots between SOD1G93A mice and control at ages of 75 and 90 days. A shift of diffusion distribution was observed in SOD1G93A mice between 75 and 90 days.

Impact: This in vivo study potentially presents a novel view in non-invasive evaluating alterations in spinal cord tissue associated with ALS pathology, thus benefiting investigations related to drug delivery and therapeutic response monitoring of ALS.

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