Three-Dimensional In vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Mouse Facial Nerve Regeneration

This study focuses on using MRI to visualize and monitor the regeneration of the facial nerve in mice after injury, without using contrast agents. The researchers developed a high-resolution MRI protocol to image even very small nerves, like the mouse facial nerve, over a period of three weeks after injury. The MRI scans showed changes in the nerve, such as increased signal intensity and size, at the injury site, which correlated with the recovery of nerve function.

• 1
  Nerve injury caused hyperintense signal in T2-weighted images, and an increase in nerve size of the proximal and distal nerve stumps were observed.
• 2
  Longitudinal MR representation of facial nerve lesions correlated well with physiological recovery of nerve function by quantifying whisker movement.
• 3
  A novel protocol in rodents allows for non-invasive, non-contrast agent enhanced, high-resolution MR imaging of small peripheral nerves longitudinally over several weeks.