Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Neuroprotective Effect of Xaliproden in Rats

Lemaire L, Fournier J, Ponthus C, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the neuroprotective effect of xaliproden in rats. Invest Radiol 2002;37:321–327. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The neurotrophic effect of Xaliproden has been followed using sequential cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rats with vincristine-induced brain lesion as a model of Alzheimer disease. METHODS. Nineteen rats received an intraseptal injection of vincristine on day 0, followed by a daily gavage with either the vehicle (Tween-20 1%) (n = 10) or Xaliproden (10 mg/kg) (n = 9). Eight sham-operated controls received a daily gavage with either the vehicle (n = 4) or Xaliproden (n = 4). Brain MR imaging was performed at 4.7 T on a Biospec 47/30 MR system before surgery then 3, 7, 10, and 14 days after surgery. RESULTS. At day 3 following vincristine injection, an increase in MR signal intensity in the septum was observed on T2-weighted images. This increase was maximal at day 10, and remained stable until day 14. Daily treatment with Xaliproden delayed the appearance of hypersignals until day 7 and reduced by Ca. 50% the magnitude of the increase in signal intensity from day 10. No changes were observed in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION. Quantitative MRI objectifies noninvasively the neuroprotective effect of Xaliproden on rat brain anatomy.