CEST imaging of ApoE –/– mouse brain during atherosclerosis development

Motivation: The molecular imaging and relationship between the brain and atherosclerosis are poorly understood. Goal(s): To study the brain during atherosclerosis development and the association of atherosclerosis and brain using CEST MRI. Approach: 3 months old ApoE –/– and C57BL/6 mouse brains were imaged using 3T preclinical MRI and CEST was applied, then three offsets, 3.5, –1.6 and –3.5 ppm, were extracted for post-processing. Results: ApoE –/– mouse showed higher APT and rNOE signals than WT in thalamus, hippocampus and cortex, which are associated with neuroinflammation and cholesterol deposition during atherosclerosis development. Impact: The underlying molecular changes of the brain during atherosclerosis development could enhance the identification of diseases at early stage using CEST MRI.