Eric R. Muir1, Ren C. Rentera2,3,
Timothy Q. Duong1
1Research Imaging
Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United
States; 2Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health
Science Center, San Antonio, TX, United States; 3Center for
Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center, San
Antonio, TX, United States
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of new blindness in working age adults. Vascular dysfunction is the most prominent feature of DR. The retina is nourished by two separate vasculatures, the retinal and choroidal vessels. Arterial spin labeling was used to image layer-specific, quantitative retinal and choroidal blood flow (RBF and ChBF) in the Akita mouse model of DR at 42x42x400 micron. RBF was significantly reduced in Akita mice, while ChBF was unchanged. Vision assessed by the optokinetic response was also worse in Akita mice. MRI provided a non-invasive method to monitor vascular changes in rodents in vivo.