High-definition neural visualization of rodent brain using micro-CT scanning and non-local-means processing

Chen, Ko-Chin; Arad, Alon; Song, Zan-Ming; Croaker, David

doi:10.1186/s12880-018-0280-6

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Image acquisitions were performed using X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and previously described tissue-preparation methods to examine neuroanatomical difference between sl/sl rat and the control group [ 42 ]. Thorough review on the brain morphology was made and followed by volumetric measurements of selected brain structures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain size reductions associated with endothelin B receptor mutation, a cause of Hirschsprung’s disease

2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background ETB has been reported to regulate neurogenesis and vasoregulation in foetal development. Its dysfunction was known to cause HSCR, an aganglionic colonic disorder with syndromic forms reported to associate with both small heads and developmental delay. We therefore asked, "is CNS maldevelopment a more general feature of ETB mutation?" To investigate, we reviewed the micro-CT scans of an ETB−/− model animal, sl/sl rat, and quantitatively evaluated the structural changes of its brain constituents. Methods Eleven neonatal rats generated from ETB+/− cross breeding were sacrificed. Micro-CT scans were completed following 1.5% iodine-staining protocols. All scans were reviewed for morphological changes. Selected organs were segmented semi-automatically post-NLM filtering: TBr, T-CC, T-CP, OB, Med, Cer, Pit, and S&I Col. Volumetric measurements were made using Drishti rendering software. Rat genotyping was completed following analysis. Statistical comparisons on organ volume, organ growth rate, and organ volume/bodyweight ratios were made between sl/sl and the control groups based on autosomal recessive inheritance. One-way ANOVA was also performed to evaluate potential dose-dependent effect. Results sl/sl rat has 16.32% lower body weight with 3.53% lower growth rate than the control group. Gross intracranial morphology was preserved in sl/sl rats. However, significant volumetric reduction of 20.33% was detected in TBr; similar reductions were extended to the measurements of T-CC, T-CP, OB, Med, and Pit. Consistently, lower brain and selected constituent growth rates were detected in sl/sl rat, ranging from 6.21% to 11.51% reduction. Lower organ volume/bodyweight ratio was detected in sl/sl rats, reflecting disproportional neural changes with respect to body size. No consistent linear relationships exist between ETB copies and intracranial organ size or growth rates. Conclusion Although ETB−/− mutant has a normal CNS morphology, significant size reductions in brain and constituents were detected. These structural changes likely arise from a combination of factors secondary to dysfunctional ET-1/ET-3/ETB signalling, including global growth impairment from HSCR-induced malnutrition and dysregulations in the neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and cerebral vascular control. These changes have important clinical implications, such as autonomic dysfunction or intellectual delay. Although further human study is warranted, our study suggested comprehensive managements are required for HSCR patients, at least in ETB−/− subtype.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain size reductions associated with endothelin B receptor mutation, a cause of Hirschsprung’s disease

2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, diceCT procedures for adult mice only manage to deliver the contrast to the brain at the expense of the integrity of the craniofacial complex. In the approaches where diceCT has been applied to visualize the mouse and rat brain, the skull was completely removed 28 – 31 . In others, where adult mouse brains were imaged within the skull, several parts of the craniofacial complex were removed to enhance the diffusion of iodine-potassium iodide (I 2 KI) into the brain 32 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ViceCT and whiceCT for simultaneous high-resolution visualization of craniofacial, brain and ventricular anatomy from micro-computed tomography

Llambrich

Wouters

Himmelreich

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Up to 40% of congenital diseases present disturbances of brain and craniofacial development resulting in simultaneous alterations of both systems. Currently, the best available method to preclinically visualize the brain and the bones simultaneously is to co-register micro-magnetic resonance (µMR) and micro-computed tomography (µCT) scans of the same specimen. However, this requires expertise and access to both imaging techniques, dedicated software and post-processing knowhow. To provide a more affordable, reliable and accessible alternative, recent research has focused on optimizing a contrast-enhanced µCT protocol using iodine as contrast agent that delivers brain and bone images from a single scan. However, the available methods still cannot provide the complete visualization of both the brain and whole craniofacial complex. In this study, we have established an optimized protocol to diffuse the contrast into the brain that allows visualizing the brain parenchyma and the complete craniofacial structure in a single ex vivo µCT scan (whiceCT). In addition, we have developed a new technique that allows visualizing the brain ventricles using a bilateral stereotactic injection of iodine-based contrast (viceCT). Finally, we have tested both techniques in a mouse model of Down syndrome, as it is a neurodevelopmental disorder with craniofacial, brain and ventricle defects. The combined use of viceCT and whiceCT provides a complete visualization of the brain and bones with intact craniofacial structure of an adult mouse ex vivo using a single imaging modality.

show abstract

“…Formalin-fixed, ethanol-preserved specimens were immersed in phosphotungstic acid (PTA), a staining solution containing tungsten (W). This heavy metal had previously been shown to provide good soft part contrast in different invertebrate and vertebrate taxa (Metscher 2009, Ziegler & Menze 2013, Xavier et al 2015, Herzog et al 2017, Chen et al 2018, Jahn et al 2018, Weinhardt et al 2018. The resulting datasets were qualitatively analyzed to evaluate whether a combined visualization of hard and soft parts would entail advantages for morphological and anatomical inferences in echinoderm research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>Combined visualization of echinoderm hard and soft parts using contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography</strong></p>

Ziegler

2019

Zoosymposia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent studies have shown that micro-computed tomography (µCT) must be considered one of the most suitable techniques for the non-invasive, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of metazoan hard parts. In addition, µCT can also be used to visualize soft part anatomy non-destructively and in 3D. In order to achieve soft tissue contrast using µCT based on X-ray attenuation, fixed specimens must be immersed in staining solutions that include heavy metals such as silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), osmium (Os), lead (Pb), or tungsten (W). However, while contrast-enhancement has been successfully applied to specimens pertaining to various higher metazoan taxa, echinoderms have thus far not been analyzed using this approach. In order to demonstrate that this group of marine invertebrates is suitable for contrast-enhanced µCT as well, the present study provides results from an application of this technique to representative species from all five extant higher echinoderm taxa. To achieve soft part contrast, freshly fixed and museum specimens were immersed in an ethanol solution containing phosphotungstic acid and then scanned using a high-resolution desktop µCT system. The acquired datasets show that the combined visualization of echinoderm soft and hard parts can be readily accomplished using contrast-enhanced µCT in all extant echinoderm taxa. The results are compared with µCT data obtained using unstained specimens, with conventional histological sections, and with data previously acquired using magnetic resonance imaging, a technique known to provide excellent soft tissue contrast despite certain limitations. The suitability for 3D visualization and modeling of datasets gathered using contrast-enhanced µCT is illustrated and applications of this novel approach in echinoderm research are discussed.

show abstract

High-definition neural visualization of rodent brain using micro-CT scanning and non-local-means processing

Cited by 20 publications

References 29 publications

Brain size reductions associated with endothelin B receptor mutation, a cause of Hirschsprung’s disease

Brain size reductions associated with endothelin B receptor mutation, a cause of Hirschsprung’s disease

ViceCT and whiceCT for simultaneous high-resolution visualization of craniofacial, brain and ventricular anatomy from micro-computed tomography

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>Combined visualization of echinoderm hard and soft parts using contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography</strong></p>

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About