Imaging Analysis for Drug Discovery & Development

Imaging in CNS Disease Models

CD BioSciences offers a comprehensive suite of services for central nervous system (CNS) disease modeling and imaging to support clients' research and drug development programs. Our team of experts can construct a wide range of in vivo and in vitro models to recapitulate the key pathological features of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, and CNS injuries. Leveraging advanced imaging technologies such as MRI, PET, SPECT, intravital microscopy, bioluminescence imaging, and electrophysiology, we support detailed visualization and quantification of brain structure, function, and molecular processes.

Roles of Imaging Technology in Preclinical CNS Disease Research

Imaging techniques provide invaluable tools for visualizing and quantifying the complex structural and functional changes that occur in the brain and spinal cord. For example, MRI offers high-resolution anatomical imaging to detect lesions, atrophy, and white matter integrity in models of neurodegenerative diseases, while PET can be used to map neurochemical alterations and neuroinflammation. These non-invasive techniques allow researchers to monitor disease progression and treatment response longitudinally within living animal models, providing dynamic insights that cannot be captured through traditional histological analyses alone.

Imaging studies of CNS injury and disease in animals Figure 1. Imaging in animal models of CNS injury and disease. (Akassoglou K, et al. 2017)

What Can We Do for CNS Disease Modeling & Imaging?

Custom CNS Disease Models

Model Types	Modeling Methods
Neurodegenerative Diseases	Alzheimer's disease: Transgenic models, neurotoxin-induced, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy models Parkinson's disease: 6-OHDA, MPTP, and α-synuclein overexpression models Huntington's disease: Transgenic models expressing mutant huntingtin protein Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Transgenic models with SOD1, TDP-43, or C9orf72 mutations
Neuropsychiatric Disorders	Schizophrenia: MK-801/PCP-induced models Depressive disorder: Chronic stress, inflammation, and genetic models
CNS Injuiry and Stroke	Spinal cord injury: Contusion, transection, and compression injury models Ischemic stroke: Middle cerebral artery occlusion, photothrombotic, and embolic stroke models
In Vitro Methods	Custom cell lines Primary neuronal cultures Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived models

Preclinical CNS Disease Imaging Services

Imaging Services	Imaging Techniques	Detection Indicators
Axonal Response Monitoring	Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) MRI Fluorescence microscopy	Axonal integrity, white matter tract changes, axonal transport.
Reversible Axon Damage Assessment	DTI Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) Functional MRI (fMRI)	Changes in fractional anisotropy, magnetization transfer ratio, and functional connectivity.
Imaging of Serotonergic Axon Regrowth	Two-photon microscopy Fluorescence imaging with serotonin-specific tracers.	Axonal sprouting, growth cone dynamics, and serotonergic fiber density.
Imaging of Retinal Axons and Target Neurons	Optical coherence tomography (OCT) Fundus photography	Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, axonal degeneration, and synaptic connectivity.
Imaging of Microglia and Neurovascular Units	Two-photon microscopy, intravital microscopy Fluorescence imaging with microglia-specific markers	Microglial activation, morphology, and interaction with blood vessels.
Calcium Imaging	Two-photon microscopy Fluorescence imaging with calcium indicators.	Neuronal activity, calcium transients, and synaptic transmission
Imaging of Beta-Amyloid Deposition	PET with amyloid-specific tracers (e.g., PiB) Immunofluorescence microscopy	Amyloid plaque load, distribution, and density.
Monitoring Changes in BBB Penetration	Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) Fluorescence imaging with BBB permeability tracers	Blood-brain barrier permeability, leakage of contrast agents, and drug delivery to the brain.
Monitoring Changes in Target Accumulation in Brain Tissue	Autoradiography Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) Fluorescence microscopy	Drug concentration in brain tissue, target engagement, and distribution.

CD BioSciences specializes in developing customized disease models that accurately mimic various CNS diseases, supported by advanced imaging technologies that provide detailed insights into brain structure, function, and pathology. From studying disease mechanisms to evaluating drug efficacy, our comprehensive approach to CNS disease modeling and imaging is designed to drive innovation and progress in neurology and neuroscience. Contact us today to discuss your specific research needs and discover how our services can accelerate your CNS research program.

Reference

Akassoglou K, et al. In Vivo Imaging of CNS Injury and Disease. J Neurosci. 2017, 37(45):10808-10816.

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Please note: Our services can only be used for research purposes. Do not use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures!

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