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Published on: October 30, 2018
Relationship between neural and hemodynamic signals during spontaneous activity studied with temporal kernel CCA
Yusuke Murayama1, Felix Biessmann, Frank C Meinecke
1Max-Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany. yusuke.murayama@tuebingen.mpg.de
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
|January 26, 2010
Summary
Researchers explored the link between neural activity and brain imaging signals using simultaneous recordings in monkeys. They found a positive neurovascular coupling, with higher brain activity correlating with blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) contrast is vital for studying brain function.
- The precise relationship between neural activity (timing and content) and fMRI data (spatial localization) remains incompletely understood.
- Existing research often assumes a simplified neurovascular coupling, necessitating advanced analytical methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurovascular relationship during spontaneous brain activity.
- To elucidate the correlation between neural signal components and BOLD fMRI signals.
- To apply a multivariate analysis method without assuming a hemodynamic response function (HRF).
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous recordings of neural signals (local field potentials and spiking activity) and BOLD fMRI were performed in the primary visual cortex (V1) of anesthetized monkeys.
- Temporal kernel canonical correlation analysis (tkCCA), a multivariate technique, was employed to analyze signal fluctuations.
- tkCCA identified filters in both voxel and frequency-time spaces to maximize neurovascular correlation, accommodating complex signal features.
Main Results:
- A positive neurovascular coupling was observed, with a time lag of 4-5 seconds.
- Local field potentials (LFPs) in the gamma (γ) frequency range showed a greater contribution to the BOLD signal than low-frequency LFPs or spiking activity.
- The analysis revealed a higher correlation spatially localized around the recording site, though the pattern extended across much of the V1 occipital area.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a positive neurovascular coupling, highlighting the contribution of gamma-band LFPs to the BOLD signal.
- This study provides the first multivariate analysis integrating intracranial electrophysiology and high-resolution fMRI data.
- The results align with previous research and offer a more nuanced understanding of the neurovascular relationship in brain function studies.
