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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
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Deep Brain Stimulation with Simultaneous fMRI in Rodents
Published on: February 15, 2014
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Neuromodulation in Small Animal fMRI
Li-Ming Hsu1,2,3, Yen-Yu Ian Shih1,2,4
1Center for Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|September 16, 2024
Summary
Combining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with neuromodulation techniques in animal models reveals cell-type specific brain activity and network dynamics, advancing neuroscience research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Brain Imaging
- Animal Models
Background:
- Investigating causal links between brain activity and network function is challenging in humans.
- Small animal models offer a unique platform for such research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review neuromodulation techniques (electrical deep brain stimulation, optogenetics, chemogenetics) used with fMRI in rodents.
- To demonstrate how this multimodal approach elucidates brain signaling, neurovascular coupling, and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical development and application of neuromodulation techniques with fMRI in rodents.
- Discussion of methodological considerations for combined experiments.
- Presentation of rodent-based case studies.
Main Results:
- Highlights cell-type and circuit-specific modulation of brain-wide activity patterns and behavioral correlates.
- Demonstrates insights into neurovascular coupling and neural basis of brain network functions.
- Shows integration bridges mesoscopic and macroscopic scales of neuroscience.
Conclusions:
- fMRI combined with neuromodulation provides crucial insights into brain dynamics at multiple scales.
- This integration advances understanding of brain function in health and disease.
- Facilitates exploration of novel therapeutic strategies for network-mediated behaviors.
