A practical protocol for measurements of spinal cord functional connectivity

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Spinal Cord Functional MRI
• Resting State Networks

Background:

• Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a well-established technique for studying brain function.
• Translating resting state fMRI to the human spinal cord presents unique challenges due to its distinct structure and function.
• Brain-optimized fMRI methods may not be suitable for spinal cord applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of acquisition and processing parameters on resting state spinal cord network detectability at 3 Tesla.
• To identify optimal parameters for reliable detection of spinal cord functional networks.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated the effects of varying run length, echo time, and bandpass filter width on resting state fMRI data from the human spinal cord.
• Analyzed the detectability of ventral (motor) and dorsal (sensory) spinal cord networks under different acquisition and processing conditions.

Main Results:

• Inclusion of frequencies beyond 0.08 Hz is recommended for resting state spinal cord analyses.
• A run length of approximately 8-12 minutes is optimal for reliably detecting the ventral (motor) network.
• Longer echo times, while shorter than typical brain fMRI values, may enhance the detectability of the dorsal (sensory) network.

Conclusions:

• Specific acquisition and processing parameters are crucial for successful resting state fMRI of the spinal cord.
• The findings provide guidance for optimizing protocols to study spinal cord functional networks.
• Further research is needed to fully understand spinal cord resting state networks in health and disease.