RAFF4, magnetization transfer and diffusion tensor MRI in a mouse model of demyelination and remyelination

Motivation: In vivo assessment of myelin status is important for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in multiple sclerosis. Goal(s): The goal of this study was to explore the capability of RAFF4, MT, and DTI metrics to detect changes in the myelin content and integrity during both demyelination and remyelination. Approach: A genetic mouse model of widespread demyelination and remyelination was imaged with RAFF4, MT, and DTI and the MRI metrics were compared with histological analyses. Results: Both RAFF4 and MT detected differences between the disease model and control animals in both demyelination and remyelination. DTI differed only in the demyelination phase. Impact: RAFF4 showed the ability to detect both demyelination and remyelination in the mouse brain. This suggests that RAFF4 has great potential in serving as a translational biomarker in the development of new therapeutic agents for myelin repair.