Hybrid fiber optic-fMRI for multimodal cell-specific recording and manipulation of neural activity in rodents

High-resolution awake mouse fMRI at 14 tesla

High-resolution awake mouse functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) remains challenging despite extensive efforts to address motion-induced artifacts and stress. This study introduces an implantable radio frequency (RF) surface coil design that minimizes image distortion caused by the air/tissue interface of mouse brains while simultaneously serving as a headpost for fixation during scanning. Furthermore, this study provides a thorough acclimation method used to accustom animals to the MRI environment minimizing motion-induced artifacts. Using a 14 T scanner, high-resolution fMRI enabled brain-wide functional mapping of visual and vibrissa stimulation at 100 µm×100 µm×200 µm resolution with a 2 s per frame sampling rate. Besides activated ascending visual and vibrissa pathways, robust blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses were detected in the anterior cingulate cortex upon visual stimulation and spread through the ventral retrosplenial area (VRA) with vibrissa air-puff stimulation, demonstrating higher-order sensory processing in association cortices of awake mice. In particular, the rapid hemodynamic responses in VRA upon vibrissa stimulation showed a strong correlation with the hippocampus, thalamus, and prefrontal cortical areas. Cross-correlation analysis with designated VRA responses revealed early positive BOLD signals at the contralateral barrel cortex (BC) occurring 2 s prior to the air-puff in awake mice with repetitive stimulation, which was not detected using a randomized stimulation paradigm. This early BC activation indicated a learned anticipation through the vibrissa system and association cortices in awake mice under continuous exposure of repetitive air-puff stimulation. This work establishes a high-resolution awake mouse fMRI platform, enabling brain-wide functional mapping of sensory signal processing in higher association cortical areas.

High-resolution awake mouse fMRI at 14 Tesla

High-resolution awake mouse fMRI remains challenging despite extensive efforts to address motion-induced artifacts and stress. This study introduces an implantable radiofrequency (RF) surface coil design that minimizes image distortion caused by the air/tissue interface of mouse brains while simultaneously serving as a headpost for fixation during scanning. Furthermore, this study provides a thorough acclimation method used to accustom animals to the MRI environment minimizing motion induced artifacts. Using a 14T scanner, high-resolution fMRI enabled brain-wide functional mapping of visual and vibrissa stimulation at 100×100×200μm resolution with a 2s per frame sampling rate. Besides activated ascending visual and vibrissa pathways, robust BOLD responses were detected in the anterior cingulate cortex upon visual stimulation and spread through the ventral retrosplenial area (VRA) with vibrissa air-puff stimulation, demonstrating higher-order sensory processing in association cortices of awake mice. In particular, the rapid hemodynamic responses in VRA upon vibrissa stimulation showed a strong correlation with the hippocampus, thalamus, and prefrontal cortical areas. Cross-correlation analysis with designated VRA responses revealed early positive BOLD signals at the contralateral barrel cortex (BC) occurring 2 seconds prior to the air-puff in awake mice with repetitive stimulation, which was not detected using a randomized stimulation paradigm. This early BC activation indicated a learned anticipation through the vibrissa system and association cortices in awake mice under continuous training of repetitive air-puff stimulation. This work establishes a high-resolution awake mouse fMRI platform, enabling brain-wide functional mapping of sensory signal processing in higher association cortical areas.

Linking brain activity across scales with simultaneous opto- and electrophysiology

The brain enables adaptive behavior via the dynamic coordination of diverse neuronal signals across spatial and temporal scales: from fast action potential patterns in microcircuits to slower patterns of distributed activity in brain-wide networks. Understanding principles of multiscale dynamics requires simultaneous monitoring of signals in multiple, distributed network nodes. Combining optical and electrical recordings of brain activity is promising for collecting data across multiple scales and can reveal aspects of coordinated dynamics invisible to standard, single-modality approaches. We review recent progress in combining opto- and electrophysiology, focusing on mouse studies that shed new light on the function of single neurons by embedding their activity in the context of brain-wide activity patterns. Optical and electrical readouts can be tailored to desired scales to tackle specific questions. For example, fast dynamics in single cells or local populations recorded with multi-electrode arrays can be related to simultaneously acquired optical signals that report activity in specified subpopulations of neurons, in non-neuronal cells, or in neuromodulatory pathways. Conversely, two-photon imaging can be used to densely monitor activity in local circuits while sampling electrical activity in distant brain areas at the same time. The refinement of combined approaches will continue to reveal previously inaccessible and under-appreciated aspects of coordinated brain activity.

The impact of vasomotion on analysis of rodent fMRI data

Introduction

Small animal fMRI is an essential part of translational research in the cognitive neurosciences. Due to small dimensions and animal physiology preclinical fMRI is prone to artifacts that may lead to misinterpretation of the data. To reach unbiased translational conclusions, it is, therefore, crucial to identify potential sources of experimental noise and to develop correction methods for contributions that cannot be avoided such as physiological noise. Aim of this study was to assess origin and prevalence of hemodynamic oscillations (HDO) in preclinical fMRI in rat, as well as their impact on data analysis.

Methods

Following the development of algorithms for HDO detection and suppression, HDO prevalence in fMRI measurements was investigated for different anesthetic regimens, comprising isoflurane and medetomidine, and for both gradient echo and spin echo fMRI sequences. In addition to assessing the effect of vasodilation on HDO, it was studied if HDO have a direct neuronal correlate using local field potential (LFP) recordings. Finally, the impact of HDO on analysis of fMRI data was assessed, studying both the impact on calculation of activation maps as well as the impact on brain network analysis. Overall, 303 fMRI measurements and 32 LFP recordings were performed in 71 rats.

Results

In total, 62% of the fMRI measurements showed HDO with a frequency of (0.20 ± 0.02) Hz. This frequent occurrence indicated that HDO cannot be generally neglected in fMRI experiments. Using the developed algorithms, HDO were detected with a specificity of 95%, and removed efficiently from the signal time courses. HDO occurred brain-wide under vasoconstrictive conditions in both small and large blood vessels. Vasodilation immediately interrupted HDO, which, however, returned within 1 h under vasoconstrictive conditions. No direct neuronal correlate of HDO was observed in LFP recordings. HDO significantly impacted analysis of fMRI data, leading to altered cluster sizes and F-values for activated voxels, as well as altered brain networks, when comparing data with and without HDO.

Discussion

We therefore conclude that HDO are caused by vasomotion under certain anesthetic conditions and should be corrected during fMRI data analysis to avoid bias.

Combining magnetic resonance imaging with readout and/or perturbation of neural activity in animal models: Advantages and pitfalls

One of the main challenges in brain research is to link all aspects of brain function: on a cellular, systemic, and functional level. Multimodal neuroimaging methodology provides a continuously evolving platform. Being able to combine calcium imaging, optogenetics, electrophysiology, chemogenetics, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as part of the numerous efforts on brain functional mapping, we have a unique opportunity to better understand brain function. This review will focus on the developments in application of these tools within fMRI studies and highlight the challenges and choices neurosciences face when designing multimodal experiments.

Special Section Guest Editorial: Hybrid Photonic/X Neurointerfaces

The article introduces the Special Section on Hybrid Photonic/X Neurointerfaces for Neurophotonics Volume 9 Issue 3.

Beyond correlation: functional OPTO-MAgnetic Integration Concept (OPTOMAIC) to reveal the brain-wide signature of local neuronal signals-of-interest

Significance: Due to the vascular origin of the fMRI signal, the spatiotemporally precise interpretation of the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response as brain-wide correlate of neuronal activity is limited. Optical fiber-based neuronal calcium recordings provide a specific and temporally highly resolved signal yet lacking brain-wide coverage. The cross-modal integration of both modalities holds the potential for unique synergies. Aim: The OPTO-MAgnetic Integration Concept (OPTOMAIC) extracts the very fraction of the BOLD response that reacts to optically recorded neuronal signals-of-interest. Approach and Results: First, OPTOMAIC identifies the trials containing neuronal signal-of-interest (SoI) in the optical recordings. The long duration of the BOLD response is considered by calculating and thresholding neuronal interevent intervals. The resulting optical regression vector is probed for a positive BOLD response with single-event and single-voxel resolution, generating a BOLD response matrix containing only those events and voxels with both a neuronal SoI and a positive fMRI signal increase. Last, the onset of the BOLD response is being quantified, representing the section of the BOLD response most reliably reporting at least components of the neuronal signal. Conclusions: The seven OPTOMAIC steps result in a brain-wide BOLD signature reflecting the underlying neuronal SoI with utmost cross-modal integration depth and taking full advantage of the specific strengths of each method.