Sex-specific ultrasound imaging biomarkers of neurodegeneration in a mouse model.

Introduction: Early detection of neurodegeneration is essential for optimizing interventions. The highly reproducible progression of neurodegeneration in the decrepit () mouse allows investigation of early biomarkers and mechanisms of brain injury.

Methods: Using high-frequency ultrasound, the common carotid arteries of female and male and control mice were imaged longitudinally at time points bracketing the disease progression (50, 75, and 125 days of age) ( = 6 mice/group/sex).

Results: Over the disease time course, the female mice demonstrated increased carotid artery blood flow and pulse wave velocity while the male mice had a decrease in heart rate and no change in carotid artery ultrasound parameters. Early imaging biomarkers were sex-specific, with decreased carotid artery blood flow in female mice and increased carotid artery diameter and decreased pulse wave velocity in males.

Discussion: Carotid artery and wave reflection ultrasound is a promising screening tool for early detection of neurodegeneration.