An anesthetic protocol for preserving functional network structure in the marmoset monkey brain.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Large-scale neuroimaging in non-human primates is vital for translational neuroscience.
• Anesthesia effects on primate brain functional networks are not well understood.
• Optimizing anesthesia is crucial for reliable neuroimaging data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of anesthesia on marmoset brain functional networks.
• To identify an optimal anesthesia protocol for non-human primate neuroimaging.
• To provide open-access datasets for collaborative research.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 9.4 tesla was used.
• Isoflurane anesthesia effects were compared to a novel protocol (medetomidine + low-dose isoflurane).
• Graph-theoretical analysis assessed functional network structure.

Main Results:

• Isoflurane alone altered functional connectivity and suppressed visual activation.
• The medetomidine-based protocol maintained awake-like resting-state networks and visual responses.
• Functional network structure was preserved with the new protocol but degraded by higher isoflurane concentrations.

Conclusions:

• A medetomidine-supplemented anesthesia protocol is superior for marmoset fMRI.
• This protocol supports translational neuroscience by preserving brain network integrity.
• Open data sharing facilitates collaborative non-human primate neuroimaging research.