The chondrocranium provides the key initial support for the fetal brain, jaws and cranial sensory organs in all vertebrates. The patterns of shaping and growth of the chondrocranium set up species-specific development of the entire craniofacial complex. The 3D development of chondrocranium have been studied primarily in animal model organisms, such as mice or zebrafish. In comparison, very little is known about the full 3D human chondrocranium, except from drawings made by anatomists many decades ago. The knowledge of human-specific aspects of chondrocranial development are essential for understanding congenital craniofacial defects and human evolution. Here advanced microCT scanning was used that includes contrast enhancement to generate the first 3D atlas of the human fetal chondrocranium during the middle trimester (13 to 19 weeks). In addition, since cartilage and bone are both visible with the techniques used, the endochondral ossification of cranial base was mapped since this region is so critical for brain and jaw growth. The human 3D models are published as a scientific resource for human development.

• MeSH
• Cartilage diagnostic imaging   embryology   MeSH
• Skull diagnostic imaging   embryology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Fetus diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• X-Ray Microtomography MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Dataset MeSH

Amyloid plaques are small (~ 50 μm), highly-dense aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein in brain tissue, supposed to play a key role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Plaques´ in vivo detection, spatial distribution and quantitative characterization could be an essential marker in diagnostics and evaluation of AD progress. However, current imaging methods in clinics possess substantial limits in sensitivity towards Aβ plaques to play a considerable role in AD screening. Contrast enhanced X-ray micro computed tomography (micro CT) is an emerging highly sensitive imaging technique capable of high resolution visualization of rodent brain. In this study we show the absorption based contrast enhanced X-ray micro CT imaging is viable method for detection and 3D analysis of Aβ plaques in transgenic rodent models of Alzheimer's disease. Using iodine contrasted brain tissue isolated from the Tg-F344-AD rat model we show the micro CT imaging is capable of precise imaging of Aβ plaques, making possible to further analyze various aspects of their 3D spatial distribution and other properties.

• MeSH
• Alzheimer Disease diagnostic imaging   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Amyloid beta-Peptides metabolism   MeSH
• Plaque, Amyloid diagnostic imaging   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Contrast Media * MeSH
• Rats MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Brain diagnostic imaging   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Image Processing, Computer-Assisted MeSH
• X-Ray Microtomography * MeSH
• Radiographic Image Enhancement * MeSH
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Rats MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Amyloid beta-Peptides MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Contrast Media * MeSH