Unveiling the Association between Gray Matter Atrophy and Impaired Blood Flow in EAE Mouse Model of MS with 9.4T MRI

Motivation: The underlying mechanisms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) remain unclear, and treatments are lacking. In MS, cerebral atrophy, and impaired cerebral blood flow (CBF), are both aspects of GM pathology. Goal(s): We aim to assess the relationship between atrophy and CBF in MS, and their changes with disease duration and severity. Approach: We applied non-invasive ASL-MRI and Atlas-based volumetrics to measure CBF and atrophy in the EAE mouse model of MS, over disease course. Results: EAE mice showed reduced CBF during peak and long-term disease but atrophy just during long-term disease. Long-term clinical disability and atrophy were correlated with CBF. Impact: Reduced CBF may relate to pathology in MS, including progression and atrophy. Future studies combining ASL-MRI and atlas-based volumetrics may be useful for investigating the processes underlying neurodegeneration in MS.