Neuroimaging as a Tool for Modeling CNS Diseases

Over the past few decades, neuroscience has made unprecedented breakthroughs, providing superior techniques for revealing the complex workings of the human brain. The most critical of these advanced tools is neuroimaging. At Creative Biolabs, we believe that neuroimaging is key to improving our understanding and modeling of central nervous system disorders, providing us with important insights into the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases.

Creative Biolabs provides neuroimaging-related and CNS disease modeling services, including a range of technologies for visualizing brain structure, function, and the pharmacological effects of drugs.

Neuroimaging Technology

Neuroimaging encompasses a variety of techniques that allow for the visualization and measurement of brain structure and function. These techniques can broadly be categorized into structural and functional imaging. Structural imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), provide detailed images of the anatomical structures of the brain. Functional imaging techniques, on the other hand, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), allow researchers to observe and quantify brain activity in real time.

Fig. 1 New neuroimaging techniques allow the assessment of brain structure and function, as well as the widespread use of genome-wide analysis.¹

• MRI provides noninvasive imaging of the brain's anatomy with unrivaled resolution. CT scans, while not as detailed as MRI, provide a quick and valuable look at the overall structure of the brain.
• fMRI maps the brain's functional processes by detecting changes in blood oxygenation, revealing how areas of the brain interact and work together. PET and SPEC visualize metabolic processes at the molecular level, which is critical for examining pathological changes associated with disease.

The integration of structural and functional information obtained through neuroimaging can help unravel the mysteries of CNS disorders. By examining physical and functional aspects of the brain, researchers can develop integrated models to capture the dynamic nature of these diseases.

The use of neuroimaging in modeling CNS disorders is multifaceted. It provides detailed benchmarks of health and disease states and provides a neurobiological basis for psychiatric disorders.

A Case Study of Alzheimer's Disease Modeling

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of cognitive function. Neuroimaging provides valuable insights into the structural and functional changes associated with the disease and plays a key role in improving our understanding of AD.

• Structural imaging techniques, particularly MRI, are critical for identifying key features of AD pathology. Researchers have observed atrophy in specific brain regions, such as the hippocampus and the internal olfactory cortex, which are critical for memory formation. These structural changes, visualized by high-resolution MRI scans, can serve as important biomarkers for diagnosing and tracking the progression of AD.
• Functional imaging reveals altered patterns of brain activity in AD patients. For example, resting-state functional MRI reveals disruption of the default mode network. Understanding these functional changes is critical to understanding cognitive decline in patients with AD.
• Advances in molecular imaging techniques, such as PET scans using radioligands targeting beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles, have allowed researchers to visualize and quantify the accumulation of pathological proteins associated with AD.

A Case Study of Parkinson's Disease Modeling

Parkinson's disease (PD) is another CNS disorder that has benefited greatly from neuroimaging studies. This progressive neurodegenerative disease is characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor symptoms such as tremors, bradykinesia and tonus.

• Structural imaging techniques, particularly MRI, have helped to identify the structural changes in the brain associated with PD. Studies using high-resolution MRI have revealed atrophy of the substantia nigra and other basal ganglia structures, providing valuable information about the underlying pathology.
• Functional imaging plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of neurotransmitter systems in PD. PET studies using radioligands targeting the dopamine system have shown significantly reduced dopamine levels in the striatum, a key region involved in motor control. These findings have direct implications for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring dopaminergic function.
• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which allows researchers to study the integrity of white matter tracts in the brains of PD patients. This has provided valuable insights into the role of disrupted connectivity in the expression of motor and non-motor symptoms.

A Case Study of Modeling Psychiatric Disorders

Neuroimaging techniques have greatly advanced our understanding of the neurobiological basis of several psychiatric disorders. In mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or major depression, neuroimaging has identified abnormalities in brain regions involved in emotion regulation.

• Structural imaging studies have consistently reported subtle but widespread changes in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Volume abnormalities in various brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus, have been identified through MRI studies. These findings have stimulated further research into the neurodevelopmental aspects of schizophrenia, revealing the potential role of early structural changes in disease onset.
• Functional neuroimaging has provided important insights into the abnormal connectivity patterns associated with schizophrenia. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have revealed disruptions in the default mode network and other resting-state networks, contributing to our understanding of the cognitive and perceptual deficits observed in patients with schizophrenia.
• Advances in neuroimaging technology including nanotechnology for neuroimaging have allowed researchers to study the role of neurotransmitter systems, such as the dopamine and glutamate systems, in schizophrenia. PET and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies provide valuable information about these neurotransmitter dysregulations, opening up avenues for the development of targeted pharmacological interventions.

Neuroimaging has become an indispensable tool in the modeling of CNS disorders, providing researchers with a window into the complex world of the human brain. As technology continues to evolve and neuroimaging becomes a non-invasive, efficient and increasingly accessible method, neuroimaging is a powerful ally in our fight against CNS diseases.

At Creative Biolabs, we are constantly striving to utilize these technologies to deepen our understanding and find new treatment options. We believe that the continued development and refinement of neuroimaging technologies will go a long way toward realizing our goal of defeating CNS disorders.

Reference

1. Wintermark, Max, et al. "The vast potential and bright future of neuroimaging." The British journal of radiology 91.1087 (2018): 20170505.

For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.