In vivo evaluation of optic nerve development in non-human primates by using diffusion tensor imaging

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Yumei Yan, Emory University; Govind Nair, Emory University; Longchuan Li, Emory University; Sudeep Patel, Emory University; Mark Wilson, Emory University; Xiaoping Hu, Emory University; Maria Sanchez, Emory University; Xiaodong Zhang, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-02-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 ISDN. CC BY NC ND 4.0
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2013.06.007
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience
• ISSN: 0736-5748
• Volume: 32
• Start Page: 64
• End Page: 68
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by NIMH MH079100, MH078105, ARRA MH078105-S1, NICHD HD055255;and was funded by the National Center for Research Resources P51RR000165; and is currently supported by the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs / OD P51OD011132.
• Keywords: RADIAL DIFFUSIVITY; Developmental Biology; RETINAL ISCHEMIA; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Fractional anisotropy; WHITE-MATTER; Optic nerve development; Science & Technology; Rhesus monkey; Mean diffusivity; AGE; CONGENITAL GLAUCOMA; Neurosciences & Neurology; MOUSE; CHILDREN; Non-human primate; Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); MATURATION; BRAIN; Neurosciences; White matter maturation; NEURITIS
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience; Engineering, Biomedical; Health Sciences, Radiology

Abstract

Developmental abnormalities of optic nerve are the leading cause of child blindness. The goal of this study was to use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to characterize the optic nerve development of non-human primates during the normal maturation from birth to adulthood. Forty healthy rhesus monkeys aged from 2 weeks to 6 years old were scanned with a clinical 3T scanner. It was demonstrated that the DTI parameters followed an exponential pattern during optic nerve maturation. The time constants of mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (λ∥) and radial diffusivity (λ⊥) were 16, 14, 18 and 15 months in rhesus monkeys, respectively. Significant decrease in RD was observed firstly at 12 months after birth (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the left and right optic nerves in any age group. The in vivo imaging results reveal the normal evolution patterns of DTI parameters during optic nerve maturation in primates. The data might be used as a reference in the examination of optic nerve developmental abnormalities or injury in children or preclinical studies.