Magnetic resonance imaging of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the common marmoset

•The current knowledge on MRI in marmoset EAE is reviewed•Conventional and non-conventional MRI techniques in marmoset EAE are possible•Pathological characterization of marmoset EAE brain MRI lesions is described•Pathology and pre-morbid MRI images are used to investigate disease pathogenesis•Results obtained in the marmoset can be reliably translated to the human disease

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an invaluable tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as for the study of the disease pathophysiology. Because of its strong clinical, radiological and histopathological similarities with the human disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the common marmoset has been studied more intensively over the past several years. Here, we review the current knowledge on MRI in the marmoset EAE, and we outline the physiopathological significance and translational values of these studies with respect to MS. Accumulating evidences suggest that the application of conventional, as well as non-conventional, MRI techniques in the marmoset EAE is a promising approach to elucidate the pathological processes underlying the development of inflammatory demyelinated lesions in the central nervous system, potentially improving the identification and development of new therapeutics.

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