Resting-State Networks as Simultaneously Measured with Functional MRI and PET

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Functional MRI (fMRI) studies have shown disruptions in resting-state networks (RSNs) in various neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-FDG measures neuronal activity over longer time spans and is less influenced by neurovascular coupling compared to fMRI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify RSNs using 18F-FDG PET data.
• To compare the spatial patterns of RSNs identified in PET data with those from simultaneously acquired resting-state fMRI data.
• To investigate the common neural substrates underlying RSNs across different neuroimaging modalities.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous resting-state fMRI and 18F-FDG PET data were acquired from 22 middle-aged healthy subjects.
• Resting-state networks (RSNs) were identified in both PET and fMRI datasets.
• Spatial overlap analysis was performed between RSNs derived from PET and fMRI.

Main Results:

• Thirteen RSNs were identified in the PET data, and 17 RSNs were identified in the fMRI data.
• Fair to moderate spatial overlap was observed for several key RSNs, including the default mode, sensorimotor, visual, auditory, and executive networks.
• Despite measuring different aspects of neural activity, both PET and fMRI detected similar RSNs.

Conclusions:

• The findings support a common neural substrate for RSNs, regardless of the neuroimaging modality used.
• The results encourage further exploration of the clinical utility of resting-state connectivity analysis in PET data for neuropsychiatric disorders.