Utilization of MRI for Cerebral White Matter Injury in a Hypobaric Swine Model-Validation of Technique

Background: Repetitive hypobaric exposure in humans induces subcortical white matter change, observable on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and associated with cognitive impairment. Similar findings occur in traumatic brain injury (TBI). We are developing a swine MRI-driven model to understand the pathophysiology and to develop treatment interventions. Methods: Five miniature pigs(Sus scrofa domestica) were repetitively exposed to nonhypoxic hypobaria (30,000 feet/FIO2 100 /transcutaneous PO2 90 ) while under general anesthesia. Three pigs served as controls. Pre-exposure and post exposure MRIs were obtained that included structural sequences, dynamic contrast perfusion, and diffusion tensor quantification. Statistical comparison of individual subject and group change was performed utilizing a two-tailed t test. Military Medicine , 182, 01 Jan 0001, 01 Jan 0001,