Open AccessX‐ray phase contrast tomography for the investigation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Author(s) -
Begani Provinciali Ginevra,
Pieroni Nicola,
Bukreeva Inna,
Fratini Michela,
Massimi Lorenzo,
Maugeri Laura,
Palermo Francesca,
Bardelli Fabrizio,
Mittone Alberto,
Bravin Alberto,
Gigli Giuseppe,
Gentile Francesco,
Fossaghi Andrea,
Riva Nilo,
Quattrini Angelo,
Cedola Alessia
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s1600577520006785
Subject(s) - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , spinal cord , neuropathology , neuroscience , neuroimaging , sod1 , medicine , ex vivo , pathology , magnetic resonance imaging , multiple sclerosis , disease , in vivo , radiology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , psychiatry
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons. Pre‐clinical studies drive the development of animal models that well mimic ALS disorder and enable both the dissection of disease processes and an early assessment of therapy efficacy. A comprehensive knowledge of neuronal and vascular lesions in the brain and spinal cord is an essential factor to understand the development of the disease. Spatial resolution and bidimensional imaging are important drawbacks limiting current neuroimaging tools, while neuropathology relies on protocols that may alter tissue chemistry and structure. In contrast, recent ex vivo studies in mice demonstrated that X‐ray phase‐contrast tomography enables study of the 3D distribution of both vasculature and neuronal networks, without sample sectioning or use of staining. Here we present our findings on ex vivo SOD1 G93A ALS mice spinal cord at a micrometric scale. An unprecedented direct quantification of neuro‐vascular alterations at different stages of the disease is shown.