Cross-sectional MRI-based quantification of central nervous system tissue and cerebrospinal fluid volumes in juvenile domestic pigs.

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing need for alternative animal models to evaluate central nervous system (CNS)-targeted therapies, and pigs are emerging as a promising option. Their translational utility depends on accurate estimates of CNS tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes, which are important for the design and interpretation of preclinical dosing studies.

METHODS

A cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study was conducted in 12 domestic Yorkshire-Landrace pigs (Sus scrofa) across four postnatal age groups (2, 5, 11, and 19 weeks). MRI was performed on the brain and spinal cord using T2-weighted turbo spin echo with fat saturation and short tau inversion recovery sequences. CNS tissue and CSF volumes were segmented and quantified for brain and spinal compartments, along with linear measurements of brain cavity dimensions, spinal cord and canal lengths, and regional spinal cord and subarachnoid space dimensions.

RESULTS

Age-associated differences were observed across groups, including increases in CNS tissue and CSF volumes, CNS length, and multiple brain and spinal anatomical measurements. Notably, spinal CSF volume exceeded brain CSF volume in older pigs, indicating a shift in CSF compartmental distribution that may be relevant to dosing and delivery considerations for CNS-targeted therapies.

CONCLUSION

This study provides MRI-derived, age-specific estimates of brain and spinal CSF and CNS tissue volumes in juvenile pigs, which may inform anatomical assumptions and study design considerations for CNS-focused preclinical research.