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A systematic review of spinal fMRI research: outlining the elements of experimental design
David W Cadotte1, Patrick W Stroman, David Mikulis
1Division of Neuroscience, Division of Neurosurgery, and Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Object:
Since the first published report of spinal functional MRI (fMRI) in humans in 1996, this body of literature has grown substantially. In the present article, the authors systematically review all spinal fMRI studies conducted in healthy individuals with a focus on the different motor and sensory paradigms used and the results acquired.
Methods:
The authors conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE for literature published from 1990 through November 2011 reporting on stimulation paradigms used to assess spinal fMRI scans in healthy individuals.
Results:
They identified 19 peer-reviewed studies from 1996 to the present in which a combination of different spinal fMRI methods were used to investigate the spinal cord in healthy individuals. Eight of the studies used a motor stimulation paradigm, 10 used a sensory stimulation paradigm, and 1 compared motor and sensory stimulation paradigms.
Conclusions:
Despite differences in the results of various studies, even when similar stimulation paradigms were used, this body of literature underscores that spinal fMRI signals can be obtained from the human spinal cord. The authors intend this review to serve as an introduction to spinal fMRI research and what it may offer the field of spinal cord injury research.
Insights
This review of spinal functional MRI (fMRI) studies in healthy individuals shows that spinal fMRI signals are obtainable. The findings highlight the potential of spinal fMRI for spinal cord injury research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Spinal functional MRI (fMRI) has been studied since 1996.
- Literature on spinal fMRI has grown substantially.
- This review focuses on studies in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- Systematically review all spinal fMRI studies in healthy individuals.
- Focus on motor and sensory stimulation paradigms used.
- Analyze acquired results from spinal fMRI studies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE.
- Included studies published from 1990 to November 2011.
- Focused on stimulation paradigms for spinal fMRI in healthy individuals.
Main Results:
- Identified 19 peer-reviewed studies (1996-present).
- Eight studies used motor stimulation, 10 used sensory stimulation.
- One study compared both motor and sensory paradigms.
Conclusions:
- Spinal fMRI signals can be obtained from the human spinal cord.
- Results vary even with similar paradigms.
- This review serves as an introduction to spinal fMRI for spinal cord injury research.
