Molecular and microstructural biomarkers of neuroplasticity in neurodegenerative disorders through preclinical and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging studies

Abstract

Advances in the understanding of genetic and molecular mechanisms and imaging technologies have opened a new window of research possibilities to address dynamic processes associated with neuroplasticity in physiologically intact models of neurodegenerative diseases. This review aims to: (i) establish the most relevant molecular mechanisms, as well as cellular and structural biomarkers in the study of neuroplasticity; (ii) introduce different neurodegenerative diseases in animal models that contribute to our knowledge of neuroplasticity; and (iii) illustrate the capabilities and limitations of current diffusion magnetic resonance imaging techniques to study cortical plasticity, as well as the use of alternative diffusion models.

Imaging and spectroscopic methods to investigate adult neurogenesis in vivo: New models and new avenues

“…dMRI provides unprecedented microstructural information on a micrometer scale enabling the investigation of underlying subtle microstructural changes in various disorders and physiological mechanisms. It represents therefore a technique of interest to investigate brain neuroplasticity both in animal models and in the clinical setting (Gatto, 2020). As for the other techniques mentioned above, dMRI has been used to investigate AN mainly in animals models (Vestergaard-Poulsen et al, 2011;Pérès et al, 2018).…”

An anatomical pathogenesis of lower urinary tract definitions from the 2002 ICS report symptoms, conditions, syndromes, urodynamics

“…Cross sensitization 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 and neuroplasticity 18 , 19 might also explain the co‐occurrence of genito‐urinary pain syndromes with other symptoms related to chronic pain and dysfunction (e.g., pudendal pain syndrome, pelvic floor pain syndrome, and IBS), 20 , 21 , 22 and entrapment of peripheral nerves of the lumbosacral plexus. 23 , 24 …”

Diffusion tractography of superior cerebellar peduncle and dentatorubrothalamic tracts in two autopsy confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy variants: Richardson syndrome and the speech-language variant

“…The inferior and middle longitudinal fasciculi were preserved in both PSP groups and showed increased MD compared to AD-LPA and controls. Although the reason for this increase is unclear, it may be related to the capacity of the brain to compensate for the cellular loss by neuroplasticity mechanisms, rewiring, and masking regional white matter changes during the evolution of the disease ( Gatto, 2020 ).…”