Magnetic Resonance Characterization of Axonal Response to Spinal Cord Injury
Abstract
Assessment of axon health in spinal cord injury (SCI) is vital for proper diagnosis and treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely performed in patients and provides valuable information about cord edema and hemorrhage. However, comprehensive prediction of axonal changes from in vivo MR imaging remains elusive. At the U. Penn site, we are applying two novel MRI methods to the problem of assessment of axonal loss, axonal diameter distribution, and myelin loss (qspace imaging (QSI) and ultra-short echo-time (UTE) MRI) first on animal specimens and then on human subjects. During the reporting period we have further developed and published the UTE MRI method for myelin quantification. Our results suggest that UTE MRI will be able to quantify myelin content. Direct quantification of myelin content would remove ambiguities that exist in indirect methods leading to a more accurate assessment of myelin health. We have all injured and perfusion fixed spinal cords representing the different post-injury periods in our possession (supplied by the Drexel performance site). However, we have not been able to execute the QSI due to problems related to the scanner upgrade involving matching of our custom gradients to the instrument (detailed in the report below). However, we anticipate resumption of scanning before 12/12 and completion of the work in 2013.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA569279
Entities
People
- Felix W. Wehrli
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania