Tracy Deanne Farr1, Dirk Wiedermann1, Sbastien Couillard-Desprs2, Luwig Aigner2, Mathias Hoehn1
1In-Vivo NMR Laboratory, Max-Planck Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany; 2Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Germany
The formation of new neurons in the adult brain has generated much interest, and could have an impact on recovery from neurodegenerative disease. Neurogenesis is observed using invasive techniques, but the advent of transgenic animals with imaging reporters for cellular or molecular events is a promising alternative. We used mice with a bioluminescent reporter (luciferase) that is produced in response to upregulation of the doublecortin promoter. We are working to establish an in vivo multi-modal optical imaging and MRI protocol to monitor the extent, location, and timecourse of neurogenesis in these mice. Preliminary results indicate this response changes following ischemia.