R-flurbiprofen improves axonal transport in the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease as determined by MEMRI.

Axonal pathology is a prevalent feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is thought to occur predominantly due to the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ). However, it remains unclear whether therapeutics geared toward reducing Aβ improves axonal deficits. We have previously used Manganese Enhanced MRI to demonstrate that axonal transport deficits occur before plaque formation in the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Increased Human Wildtype Tau Attenuates Axonal Transport Deficits Caused by Loss of APP in Mouse Models.

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is implicated in axonal elongation, synaptic plasticity, and axonal transport. However, the role of APP on axonal transport in conjunction with the microtubule associated protein tau continues to be debated. Here we measured in vivo axonal transport in APP knockout mice with Manganese Enhanced MRI (MEMRI) to determine whether APP is necessary for maintaining normal axonal transport.

Assessing transneuronal dysfunction utilizing manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI).

In this study we utilized manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) to evaluate the in vivo transneuronal efficiency of manganese ion (Mn(2+)) movement as a means to assess overall changes in neuronal function. We designated this extension the manganese transfer index (MTI) value. To evaluate the MTI value as an index of transneuronal physiology we examined both pharmacological agents and different mouse models of neuronal dysfunction.

In vivo axonal transport rates decrease in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Axonopathy is a pronounced attribute of many neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), axonal swellings and degeneration are prevalent and may contribute to the symptoms of AD senile dementia. Current limitations in identifying the contribution of axonal damage to AD include the inability to detect when this damage occurs in relation to other identifiers of AD because of the invasiveness of existing methods.