The rabbit as a behavioral model system for magnetic resonance imaging

Weiss, Craig; Procissi, Daniele; Power, John M.; Disterhoft, John F.

doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.05.021

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The bolts were used to hold the animal's head in place during eyeblink conditioning (EBC) and to hold the animal's head and imaging coil in place during awake image acquisition. The procedures were as described previously 33 except that each headbolt had two instead of four bolts to accommodate a newer 3‐channel receiver coil (RAPID MR International, Columbus, Ohio).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aβ oligomer induced cognitive impairment and evaluation of ACU193‐MNS‐based MRI in rabbit

Rozema

Procissi

Bertolino

et al. 2020

A&D Transl Res & Clin Interv

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Introduction Amyloid‐beta oligomers (AβOs) accumulate in Alzheimer's disease and may instigate neuronal pathology and cognitive impairment. We examined the ability of a new probe for molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect AβOs in vivo, and we tested the behavioral impact of AβOs injected in rabbits, a species with an amino acid sequence that is nearly identical to the human sequence. Methods Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection with stabilized AβOs was performed. Rabbits were probed for AβO accumulation using ACUMNS (an AβO‐selective antibody [ACU193] coupled to magnetic nanostructures). Immunohistochemistry was used to verify AβO presence. Cognitive impairment was evaluated using object location and object recognition memory tests and trace eyeblink conditioning. Results AβOs in the entorhinal cortex of ICV‐injected animals were detected by MRI and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Injections of AβOs also impaired hippocampal‐dependent, but not hippocampal‐independent, tasks and the area fraction of bound ACUMNs correlated with the behavioral impairment. Discussion Accumulation of AβOs can be visualized in vivo by MRI of ACUMNS and the cognitive impairment induced by the AβOs can be followed longitudinally with the novel location memory test.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aβ oligomer induced cognitive impairment and evaluation of ACU193‐MNS‐based MRI in rabbit

Rozema

Procissi

Bertolino

et al. 2020

A&D Transl Res & Clin Interv

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“…Our proposed preclinical model includes the advantage of an easier implementation of awake imaging due to the rabbits' innate habit to live in burrows, and to become immobile in the presence of a perceived threat. This makes the rabbit particularly suitable for MRI studies that allow shorter habituation sessions to the MRI procedures, as compared to other animals (Schroeder, Weiss, Procissi, Disterhoft, & Wang, 2016; Weiss et al, 2018) and ultimately provides a more ideal model to test translational neuroimaging approaches and analysis methods for clinical use.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sterile surgery was performed to implant a restraining bolt assembly onto the skull to fix the head in the stereotaxic plane in our custom‐built MR cradle. Methods were as described previously (Weiss, Procissi, Power, & Disterhoft, 2018).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of memory‐ and learning‐related brain connectivity changes following trace eyeblink‐conditioning using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging in the awake rabbit

Bertolino

Procissi

Disterhoft

et al. 2020

J of Comparative Neurology

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Animal imaging studies have the potential to further establish resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) and enable its validation for clinical use. The rabbit subjects used in this work are an ideal model system for studying learning and behavior and are also an excellent established test subject for awake scanning given their natural tolerance for restraint. We found that analysis of rs-fMRI conducted on a cohort of rabbits undergoing eyeblink conditioning can reveal functional brain connectivity changes associated with learning, and that rs-fMRI can be used to capture differences between subjects with different levels of cognitive performance. rs-fMRI sessions were conducted on a cohort of rabbits before and after trace eyeblink conditioning. MRI results were analyzed using independent component analysis (ICA) and network analysis. Behavioral data were collected with standard methods using an infrared reflective sensor aimed at the cornea to detect blinks. Behavioral results were analyzed, and a median split was used to create two groups of rabbits based on their performance. The cohort of rabbits undergoing eyeblink conditioning exhibited increased functional connectivity in the cingulate cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and thalamus consistent with brain reorganization associated with increased learning. Differences in the striatum and right cerebellum were also identified between rabbits in the top or bottom halves of the group as measured by the behavioral assay. Thus, rs-fMRI can provide not only a tool to detect and monitor functional brain changes associated with learning, but also to discriminate between different levels of cognitive performance.

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“…(ii) Given the minimally invasive technique used, airway topical anesthesia and wound local anaesthetics infiltration can provide extra analgesia and enhance the tolerance to pain stimulus [19,25,26]. (iii) Rabbits have a natural tolerance for restraint and can hence remain immobile in a confined space [27]. Considering this unique behavior, it is fair to assume that even a partially conscious rabbit can uneventfully undergo a cerebral MRI and abdominal ultrasound [27,28].…”

Section: Groupmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(iii) Rabbits have a natural tolerance for restraint and can hence remain immobile in a confined space [27]. Considering this unique behavior, it is fair to assume that even a partially conscious rabbit can uneventfully undergo a cerebral MRI and abdominal ultrasound [27,28]. In our study, during the wash-out and infusion periods, instead of being fixed on the bench, the animal was unlocked and wrapped in a surgical towel with slight manual restrain, which not only helped to relieve pain and alleviate stress, but also made the animal immobile.…”

Section: Groupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a simple method for differential delivery of volatile anesthetics to the spinal cord of the rabbit

Zhang

2020

PLoS ONE

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Emulsified volatile anesthetic can be directly injected into the circulation and eliminated from blood through lungs. Taking advantage of the unique pharmacokinetics of the emulsified volatile anesthetics, we aimed to develop a less traumatic method to differentially deliver them to the spinal cord of rabbit. Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to the isoflurane or sevoflurane group. A catheter was placed into the descending aorta, and emulsified isoflurane (8mg/kg/h) or sevoflurane (12mg/kg/h) was given respectively. The concentration and partial pressure of the anesthetics in the jugular and femoral vein were measured. Our results showed that the partial pressure for isoflurane was 3.91 ±1.11 mmHg and 12.61±1.60 mmHg (1.0MAC), and for sevoflurane was 3.89±1.00 mmHg and 19.92±1.84mmHg (1.0MAC), in the jugular vein and femoral vein, respectively. There was significant difference between jugular and femoral vein partial pressure for both isoflurane and sevoflurane groups (both P < 0.001). In conclusion, a simple and minimally invasive method has been successfully developed to selectively deliver isoflurane and sevoflurane to the spinal cord in the rabbit. Before the anesthetics taking action on the brain, 69% of isoflurane and 81% of sevoflurane were removed through lungs. This method can be used to investigate sites and mechanisms of volatile anesthetic action.

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The rabbit as a behavioral model system for magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract: The natural tolerance of the rabbit for restraint makes it a valuable subject for MRI studies of the brain.

Cited by 11 publications

References 48 publications

Aβ oligomer induced cognitive impairment and evaluation of ACU193‐MNS‐based MRI in rabbit

Aβ oligomer induced cognitive impairment and evaluation of ACU193‐MNS‐based MRI in rabbit

Detection of memory‐ and learning‐related brain connectivity changes following trace eyeblink‐conditioning using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging in the awake rabbit

Development of a simple method for differential delivery of volatile anesthetics to the spinal cord of the rabbit

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