An open access resource for functional brain connectivity from fully awake marmosets.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Primate Research
• Brain Mapping

Background:

• The common marmoset is an emerging model organism in neuroscience research.
• Understanding marmoset brain organization is crucial for advancing preclinical research.
• Existing resources lack comprehensive functional connectivity data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Marmoset Functional Brain Connectivity Resource.
• To provide researchers with accessible resting-state fMRI data and functional connectivity maps.
• To facilitate hypothesis testing regarding marmoset brain functional organization.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of over 70 hours of resting-state fMRI data from 31 awake marmosets.
• Data processed to 500 µm isotropic resolution within a common stereotactic space.
• Development of an online platform for data visualization, manipulation, and download.

Main Results:

• Generation of 3D functional connectivity maps for all cortical and subcortical gray matter voxels.
• Online accessibility of subject- and group-level whole-brain functional connectivity topologies.
• Demonstration of utility for presurgical planning and comparison with neuronal connectivity.

Conclusions:

• The Marmoset Functional Brain Connectivity Resource offers a unique advantage for exploring voxel-wise functional connectivity.
• The resource complements existing structural connectivity data.
• Open access to raw data and code is expected to accelerate research on marmoset brain function.