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Updated: Nov 20, 2025
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A MRI-Based Toolbox for Neurosurgical Planning in Nonhuman Primates
Published on: July 17, 2020
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The nonhuman primate neuroimaging and neuroanatomy project
Takuya Hayashi1, Yujie Hou2, Matthew F Glasser3
1Laboratory for Brain Connectomics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, 6-7-3 MI R&D Center 3F, Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Department of Neurobiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Neuroimage
|January 23, 2021
Summary
This study validates non-invasive brain imaging by comparing MRI-based connectivity with invasive tract tracing in nonhuman primates. This research aims to improve understanding of brain architecture and genetic influences on the connectome.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- Large-scale human neuroimaging projects like the Human Connectome Project (HCP) rely on accurate non-invasive measures.
- Validating these measures with invasive techniques is not possible in humans.
- Nonhuman primate (NHP) studies offer a bridge to compare invasive tract tracing with non-invasive MRI-based connectivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate non-invasive brain imaging measures of connectivity in macaques and marmosets.
- To compare functional connectivity (fMRI) and tractographic connectivity (diffusion MRI) with invasive tract tracing.
- To develop improved brain atlases and understand genetic influences on the connectome and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Acquiring multi-modal MRI data (structural, functional, diffusion) and behavioral measures from over 100 NHPs.
- Utilizing classical and next-generation anatomical tracers for quantitative connectivity mapping.
- Employing immunocytochemistry to map cell types and define brain areal boundaries.
Main Results:
- Generating high-resolution non-invasive brain architecture maps (myelin, cortical thickness).
- Creating non-invasive functional and diffusion tractography-based connectomes.
- Establishing ground truth connectivity measures through quantitative neuronal counting.
Conclusions:
- Advanced statistical modeling will compare tracer-based and MRI-based connectivity.
- The project aims to refine cortical and subcortical atlases using integrated histological and imaging data.
- Investigating the impact of genetic variation on the NHP connectome and behavior.
