Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by Radiation

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Radiation therapy can often lead to structural and functional changes in the brain resulting in radiation-induced brain injury. This study investigates the MRI-detectable effects of whole-brain irradiation across all neuroanatomical structures in adult mice,...

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Main Authors: Njenga R. Kamau, Michelle R. Tamplin, Chu-Yu Lee, Eric D. Axelson, Isabella M. Grumbach, Michael S. Petronek
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Neurology International
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/17/4/53
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author Njenga R. Kamau
Michelle R. Tamplin
Chu-Yu Lee
Eric D. Axelson
Isabella M. Grumbach
Michael S. Petronek
author_facet Njenga R. Kamau
Michelle R. Tamplin
Chu-Yu Lee
Eric D. Axelson
Isabella M. Grumbach
Michael S. Petronek
author_sort Njenga R. Kamau
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Radiation therapy can often lead to structural and functional changes in the brain resulting in radiation-induced brain injury. This study investigates the MRI-detectable effects of whole-brain irradiation across all neuroanatomical structures in adult mice, with a specific focus on T2* MRI measurements, to evaluate regions that may be particularly sensitive to iron accumulation. <b>Methods:</b> One year following irradiation or sham treatment, mice were imaged with a 7T MRI to evaluate changes in regional volume and T2* relaxation times across more than 652 neuroanatomical using the DSURQE mouse brain atlas. <b>Results:</b> Statistical analysis identified 301 altered regions with respect to regional volume and 85 regions with respect to T2* relaxation showing significant differences relative to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Further data refinement, including the consolidation of redundant, bi-lateral structures revealed 18 subregions with significant changes in both volume and T2*. The data refinement revealed that the most represented system was the olfactory system (8/18 regions, 44%). The olfactory regions also showed the most pronounced changes and greatest correlation between the two metrics. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings are suggestive that ionizing radiation may cause a pronounced disruption in the olfactory system that coincides with potential iron accumulation.
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spelling doaj-art-2730f7b9b1694a4e8c9fd88eec6f2d932025-08-20T02:28:27ZengMDPI AGNeurology International2035-83772025-04-011745310.3390/neurolint17040053Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by RadiationNjenga R. Kamau0Michelle R. Tamplin1Chu-Yu Lee2Eric D. Axelson3Isabella M. Grumbach4Michael S. Petronek5Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USADepartment of Radiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USADepartment of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USADepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Radiation therapy can often lead to structural and functional changes in the brain resulting in radiation-induced brain injury. This study investigates the MRI-detectable effects of whole-brain irradiation across all neuroanatomical structures in adult mice, with a specific focus on T2* MRI measurements, to evaluate regions that may be particularly sensitive to iron accumulation. <b>Methods:</b> One year following irradiation or sham treatment, mice were imaged with a 7T MRI to evaluate changes in regional volume and T2* relaxation times across more than 652 neuroanatomical using the DSURQE mouse brain atlas. <b>Results:</b> Statistical analysis identified 301 altered regions with respect to regional volume and 85 regions with respect to T2* relaxation showing significant differences relative to the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Further data refinement, including the consolidation of redundant, bi-lateral structures revealed 18 subregions with significant changes in both volume and T2*. The data refinement revealed that the most represented system was the olfactory system (8/18 regions, 44%). The olfactory regions also showed the most pronounced changes and greatest correlation between the two metrics. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings are suggestive that ionizing radiation may cause a pronounced disruption in the olfactory system that coincides with potential iron accumulation.https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/17/4/53radiation-induced brain injuryiron metabolismT2* mappingolfactory system
spellingShingle Njenga R. Kamau
Michelle R. Tamplin
Chu-Yu Lee
Eric D. Axelson
Isabella M. Grumbach
Michael S. Petronek
Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by Radiation
Neurology International
radiation-induced brain injury
iron metabolism
T2* mapping
olfactory system
title Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by Radiation
title_full Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by Radiation
title_fullStr Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by Radiation
title_full_unstemmed Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by Radiation
title_short Combined MR Volumetry and T2* Relaxometry Reveals the Olfactory System as an Iron-Dependent Structure Affected by Radiation
title_sort combined mr volumetry and t2 relaxometry reveals the olfactory system as an iron dependent structure affected by radiation
topic radiation-induced brain injury
iron metabolism
T2* mapping
olfactory system
url https://www.mdpi.com/2035-8377/17/4/53
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