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Real-Time fMRI Brain Mapping in Animals
Published on: September 24, 2020
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Frontal cortical functional connectivity is impacted by anaesthesia in macaques
Camille Giacometti1, Audrey Dureux2, Delphine Autran-Clavagnier1,3
1Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, Bron, France.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|January 2, 2022
Summary
Comparing brain networks in macaques and humans requires awake states. Anesthesia disrupts functional connectivity patterns in the cingulo-frontal network, highlighting the need for caution in cross-species neuroscience research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Comparative neuroanatomy
- Functional neuroimaging
Background:
- Comparative studies of brain network evolution across primates are crucial.
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is commonly used, but anesthesia significantly impacts its signals.
- Understanding the influence of anesthesia on brain activity is vital for accurate cross-species comparisons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of anesthesia versus awake states on the functional connectivity organization of the cingulo-frontal lateral network in macaque monkeys.
- To compare the functional connectivity patterns in macaques with those previously observed in the human brain.
- To assess the evolutionary conservation of brain network organization across primate species.
Main Methods:
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) in the same group of macaque monkeys under both anesthesia and awake conditions.
- Focused on the cingulo-frontal lateral network, a well-characterized network in the human brain.
- Analyzed functional connectivity (FC) strength and organization based on seed regions within the cingulate sulcus.
Main Results:
- In awake macaques, a rostro-caudal functional gradient was observed in the cingulo-frontal network, mirroring findings in humans.
- This inverse rostro-caudal gradient was abolished under anesthesia.
- Functional connectivity patterns in awake macaques showed significant similarity to those previously reported in the human brain.
Conclusions:
- The cingulo-frontal cortical network exhibits similar functional connectivity organization in awake macaques and humans, suggesting evolutionary conservation.
- This network's functional organization is sensitive to anesthesia, which can mask or alter observed patterns.
- Caution is warranted when comparing functional connectivity patterns across species, especially when differing anesthesia states are involved.
