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Development of a MR-visible compound for tracing neuroanatomical connections in vivo.

ABSTRACT: Traditional studies of neuroanatomical connections require injection of tracer compounds into living brains, then histology of the postmortem tissue. Here, we describe and validate a compound that reveals neuronal connections in vivo, using MRI. The classic anatomical tracer CTB (cholera-toxin subunit-B) was conjugated with a gadolinium-chelate to form GdDOTA-CTB. GdDOTA-CTB was injected into the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) or the olfactory pathway of rats. High-resolution MR images were collected at a range of time points at 11.7T and 7T. The transported GdDOTA-CTB was visible for at least 1 month post-injection, clearing within 2 months. Control injections of non-conjugated GdDOTA into S1 were not transported and cleared within 1-2 days. Control injections of Gd-Albumin were not transported either, clearing within 7 days. These MR results were verified by classic immunohistochemical staining for CTB, in the same animals. The GdDOTA-CTB neuronal transport was target specific, monosynaptic, stable for several weeks, and reproducible.

SUBMITTER: Wu CW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3419536 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Development of a MR-visible compound for tracing neuroanatomical connections in vivo.

Wu Carolyn W-H CW Vasalatiy Olga O Liu Ning N Wu Haitao H Cheal Sarah S Chen Der-Yow DY Koretsky Alan P AP Griffiths Gary L GL Tootell Roger B H RB Ungerleider Leslie G LG

Neuron 20110401 2

Traditional studies of neuroanatomical connections require injection of tracer compounds into living brains, then histology of the postmortem tissue. Here, we describe and validate a compound that reveals neuronal connections in vivo, using MRI. The classic anatomical tracer CTB (cholera-toxin subunit-B) was conjugated with a gadolinium-chelate to form GdDOTA-CTB. GdDOTA-CTB was injected into the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) or the olfactory pathway of rats. High-resolution MR images were c ...[more]

PMID: 21521610

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Dataset Information

Development of a MR-visible compound for tracing neuroanatomical connections in vivo.

Publications

Development of a MR-visible compound for tracing neuroanatomical connections in vivo.

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