Magnetic Resonance Elastography Detects Whole Brain Stiffness Reductions during Acute Bacterial-Induced Neuroinflammation

Motivation: Infections that can trigger acute neuroinflammation have been linked to increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases. It is unknown whether bacterial-induced acute neuroinflammation has short-term effects on brain mechanical properties during sickness and after recovery. Goal(s): Evaluate the changes in mechanical properties of the whole brain during peak sickness and post-recovery caused by lipopolysaccharide-induced acute neuroinflammation. Approach: A rat MR elastography protocol measuring tissue deformation to determine stiffness and relative viscosity was used to identify changes to mechanical properties. Results: Acute neuroinflammation caused a significant decrease in whole brain stiffness during peak sickness which returned to baseline post-recovery. Relative viscosity was not significantly affected. Impact: This study is the first to quantify the brain mechanical response due to bacterial infection-induced acute neuroinflammation. These results may be useful in understanding the connection between acute neuroinflammatory events and the onset of neurodegenerative disease.