Imaging of functional connectivity in the mouse brain

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging

Background:

• Functional neuroimaging in mice is challenging, hindering the translation of human fMRI findings to molecular and genetic mechanisms.
• A need exists for large-scale functional neuroimaging in mice to discover functional correlates of genetic manipulations and disease models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel method for functional neuroimaging in mice.
• To establish functional connectivity mapping in the mouse brain using optical intrinsic signal imaging.

Main Methods:

• Combined resting-state functional connectivity mapping with optical intrinsic signal imaging (fcOIS).
• Utilized camera-based equipment for minimally invasive imaging through the scalp without contrast agents.
• Employed iterative parcellation and clustering to synthesize network connectivity patterns.

Main Results:

• Achieved highly detailed fcOIS mapping of resting-state networks across most of the mouse cerebral cortex.
• Generated a comprehensive map of functional neuroarchitecture by synthesizing multiple network connectivity patterns.
• Successfully identified major functional regions within the mouse cerebral cortex.

Conclusions:

• fcOIS provides a powerful, minimally invasive tool for functional neuroimaging in mice.
• This method bridges human neuroscience with the genetic and molecular research capabilities of mouse models.
• Enables new research paradigms linking human brain function to mouse models of disease and genetic manipulation.