Protocol for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and tractography in ex vivo mouse models
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is a powerful tool to investigate brain structure and connectivity. We present a protocol for quantitative analyses of microstructural properties and white matter pathways via tractography using ex vivo dMRI in mouse models. We describe steps for tissue preparation, postmortem brain scanning, diffusion modeling, and tractography. We detail procedures to track white matter trajectories across development and disease states. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Cottam et al. 1
Authors
- Christine J. Charvet (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0985-3056)
- Jianli Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0159-689X)
- Nicholas C. Cottam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6300-8999)
- Kevin T. Stoll
Institutions
- Delaware State University (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (US)
- Auburn University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- STAR Protocols
- Published
- 2026-06-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104667
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development