Quantitative CEST and qMT MRI as Biomarkers of Response to Anti-Inflammatory Therapy in Rat Contusion Spinal Cord Injury

Motivation: To evaluate quantitative MRI metrics as biomarkers of spinal cord injury treatment effects in a rat contusion model. Goal(s): Determine the efficacy of Riluzole on SCI inflammation and myelination and quantify concomitant changes in MRI parameters longitudinally in treated and control animals. Approach: We acquired CEST and qMT MR images in anesthetized rats after a lumbar contusion injury, and quantified longitudinal changes associated with neuroinflammation and demyelination for 8 weeks in Riluzole treatment and controls animals. Results: Increase in CEST (3.5 ppm) APT concentration and PSR values were correlated with Riluzole effect, indicating their utility as biomarkers for treatment response. Impact: The use of quantitative MRI imaging can be used to non-invasively probe SCI treatment efficacy in pre-clinical studies. This will improve and further the development of novel SCI treatments.