MRI Evaluation of Gene Therapy in the Canine Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established and widely used technique to characterize and quantify skeletal and cardiac muscle changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recently, MRI has been explored to study disease progression and response to gene therapy in the canine DMD model. Using traditional sequences, delayed gadolinium enhancement, novel sequences, and spectroscopy, investigators have begun to (i) establish the baseline MRI characteristics of the muscles in normal and affected dogs and (ii) evaluate gene therapy outcomes in treated dogs.

Intraarticular injection of a Tin-117 m radiosynoviorthesis agent in normal canine elbows causes no adverse effects.

This longitudinal prospective exploratory study used serial measurements in five dogs to evaluate safety and retention of a tin-117 m ( Sn) colloid after intra-articular injection in normal elbow joints. Each dog was deemed healthy based on physical examination, laboratory results, and radiographic evaluation of both elbows. While anesthetized, each received an MRI of both elbows, followed by fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans of both elbow joints and associated lymph nodes.