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Papers Published

1. Benveniste, H; Einstein, G; Kim, KR; Hulette, C; Johnson, GA, Detection of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease by magnetic resonance microscopy., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, vol. 96 no. 24 (November, 1999), pp. 14079-14084 [10570201], [doi] .
   (last updated on 2025/02/12)

   Abstract:
   Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) theoretically provides the spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio needed to resolve neuritic plaques, the neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two previously unexplored MR contrast parameters, T2* and diffusion, are tested for plaque-specific contrast to noise. Autopsy specimens from nondemented controls (n = 3) and patients with AD (n = 5) were used. Three-dimensional T2* and diffusion MR images with voxel sizes ranging from 3 x 10(-3) mm(3) to 5.9 x 10(-5) mm(3) were acquired. After imaging, specimens were cut and stained with a microwave king silver stain to demonstrate neuritic plaques. From controls, the alveus, fimbria, pyramidal cell layer, hippocampal sulcus, and granule cell layer were detected by either T2* or diffusion contrast. These structures were used as landmarks when correlating MRMs with histological sections. At a voxel resolution of 5.9 x 10(-5) mm(3), neuritic plaques could be detected by T2*. The neuritic plaques emerged as black, spherical elements on T2* MRMs and could be distinguished from vessels only in cross-section when presented in three dimension. Here we provide MR images of neuritic plaques in vitro. The MRM results reported provide a new direction for applying this technology in vivo. Clearly, the ability to detect and follow the early progression of amyloid-positive brain lesions will greatly aid and simplify the many possibilities to intervene pharmacologically in AD.

   Keywords:
   Aged • Aged, 80 and over • Alzheimer Disease • Coloring Agents • Humans • Magnetic Resonance Imaging • Middle Aged • Protons • Senile Plaques • methods • pathology*