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High field BOLD response to forepaw stimulation in the mouse
Joanna M Adamczak1, Tracy D Farr, Jörg U Seehafer
1In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany.
Neuroimage
|March 10, 2010
Summary
We developed a new medetomidine anesthesia protocol for longitudinal functional MRI (fMRI) in mice. This method allows for repeated brain imaging in mice, enabling studies of brain activation and injury recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is crucial for studying brain activity.
- Traditional anesthesia like alpha-chloralose has side effects unsuitable for survival studies.
- Medetomidine is a viable alternative for longitudinal fMRI in rats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a robust protocol for longitudinal fMRI in mice using medetomidine anesthesia.
- To evaluate medetomidine dosage and its effects on brain activity.
- To overcome challenges in mouse fMRI, such as susceptibility artifacts.
Main Methods:
- Investigated subcutaneous medetomidine dosage in C57BL/6 mice.
- Recorded somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) to assess brain activity.
- Utilized gradient echo-echo planar imaging (GE-EPI) with an agar gel cap to compensate for artifacts.
Main Results:
- Medetomidine anesthesia was well-tolerated for repetitive fMRI experiments.
- BOLD contrast was observed in the somatosensory cortex during forepaw stimulation in ~50% of scans.
- An agar gel cap effectively compensated for susceptibility artifacts in high-field fMRI.
Conclusions:
- A robust medetomidine-based fMRI protocol for longitudinal studies in mice has been established.
- This protocol is suitable for brain activation studies in transgenic mice.
- The protocol facilitates research on functional deficits and recovery after brain injury in mice.
