Wallerian degeneration demonstrated by magnetic resonance: spectroscopic measurements on peripheral nerve. [Rats]

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.152.1.6729140· OSTI ID:6659926

Jolesz, F A; Polak, J F; Ruenzel, P W; Adams, D F

Wallerian degeneration of rat sciatic nerves was induced by nerve section. Fifteen days later the degenerated nerves were compared with the intact contralteral nerves from the same animal. Histological sections showed the changes typical of wallerian degeneration: axonal degeneration and secondary demyelination. The freshly dissected nerves were analyzed by magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy at 10 MHz, and the water content was determined by dehydration. In the degenerated nerves there was a marked prolongation of both T1 and T2 relaxation times, accompanied by an increase of water content. These results suggest that it should be possible to detect wallerian degeneration in MR images; this will have an important impact on neuropathological diagnosis of central and peripheral nervous system lesions.

• Research Organization: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 6659926
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 152:1; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANIMALS
DIAGNOSIS
DISEASES
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
MAMMALS
NERVES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RATS
RESONANCE
RODENTS
SCIATIC NERVE
SPECTROSCOPY
VERTEBRATES