Abstract
The histopathological counterpart of white matter hyperintensities is a matter of
debate. Methodological and ethical limitations have prevented this question to be
elucidated.
We want to introduce a protocol applying state-of-the-art methods in order to solve
fundamental questions regarding the neuroimaging–neuropathological uncertainties comprising
the most common white matter hyperintensities [WMHs] seen in aging. By this protocol,
the correlation between signal features in in situ, post mortem MRI-derived methods, including DTI and MTR and quantitative and qualitative histopathology
can be investigated. We are mainly interested in determining the precise neuroanatomical
substrate of incipient WMHs. A major issue in this protocol is the exact co-registration
of small lesion in a tridimensional coordinate system that compensates tissue deformations
after histological processing.
The protocol is based on four principles: post mortem MRI in situ performed in a short post mortem interval, minimal brain deformation during processing, thick serial histological
sections and computer-assisted 3D reconstruction of the histological sections.
This protocol will greatly facilitate a systematic study of the location, pathogenesis,
clinical impact, prognosis and prevention of WMHs.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 16, 2009
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© 2009 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
