Abstract
Background: fMRI requires that subjects not move during image acquisition. This has been achieved by instructing people not to move, or by anesthetizing experimental animal subjects to induce immobility. We have demonstrated that a surgically implanted headbolt onto the skull of a rabbit allows their brain to be imaged comfortably while the animal is awake. This article provides a detailed method for the preparation. New method: We took advantage of the rabbit's tolerance for restraint to image the brain while holding the head at the standard stereotaxic angle. Visual stimulation was produced by flashing green LEDs and whisker stimulation was done by powering a small coil of wire attached to a fiber band. Blinking was recorded with an infrared emitter/detector directed at the eye with fiber-optic cabling. Results: Results indicate that a single daily session of habituation is sufficient to produce adequate immobility on subsequent days to avoid movement artifacts. Results include high resolution images in the stereotaxic plane of the rabbit. Comparison with existing method(s): We see no degradation or distortion of MR signal, and the headbolt provides a means for rapid realignment of the head in the magnet from day to day, and across subjects. The use of rabbits instead of rodents allows much shorter periods of habituation, and the rabbit allows behavior to be observed during the day while the animal is in its normal wake cycle. Conclusions: The natural tolerance of the rabbit for restraint makes it a valuable subject for MRI studies of the brain.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 196-205 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Neuroscience Methods |
| Volume | 300 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 15 2018 |
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Keywords
- AFNI
- Animal models
- BOLD imaging
- FSL
- Functional connectivity
- Manganese enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
- Stereotaxic atlas
- Whisker stimulation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
}
The rabbit as a behavioral model system for magnetic resonance imaging. / Weiss, Craig; Procissi, Daniele; Power, John M.; Disterhoft, John F.
In: Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Vol. 300, 15.04.2018, p. 196-205.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The rabbit as a behavioral model system for magnetic resonance imaging
AU - Weiss, Craig
AU - Procissi, Daniele
AU - Power, John M.
AU - Disterhoft, John F
PY - 2018/4/15
Y1 - 2018/4/15
N2 - Background: fMRI requires that subjects not move during image acquisition. This has been achieved by instructing people not to move, or by anesthetizing experimental animal subjects to induce immobility. We have demonstrated that a surgically implanted headbolt onto the skull of a rabbit allows their brain to be imaged comfortably while the animal is awake. This article provides a detailed method for the preparation. New method: We took advantage of the rabbit's tolerance for restraint to image the brain while holding the head at the standard stereotaxic angle. Visual stimulation was produced by flashing green LEDs and whisker stimulation was done by powering a small coil of wire attached to a fiber band. Blinking was recorded with an infrared emitter/detector directed at the eye with fiber-optic cabling. Results: Results indicate that a single daily session of habituation is sufficient to produce adequate immobility on subsequent days to avoid movement artifacts. Results include high resolution images in the stereotaxic plane of the rabbit. Comparison with existing method(s): We see no degradation or distortion of MR signal, and the headbolt provides a means for rapid realignment of the head in the magnet from day to day, and across subjects. The use of rabbits instead of rodents allows much shorter periods of habituation, and the rabbit allows behavior to be observed during the day while the animal is in its normal wake cycle. Conclusions: The natural tolerance of the rabbit for restraint makes it a valuable subject for MRI studies of the brain.
AB - Background: fMRI requires that subjects not move during image acquisition. This has been achieved by instructing people not to move, or by anesthetizing experimental animal subjects to induce immobility. We have demonstrated that a surgically implanted headbolt onto the skull of a rabbit allows their brain to be imaged comfortably while the animal is awake. This article provides a detailed method for the preparation. New method: We took advantage of the rabbit's tolerance for restraint to image the brain while holding the head at the standard stereotaxic angle. Visual stimulation was produced by flashing green LEDs and whisker stimulation was done by powering a small coil of wire attached to a fiber band. Blinking was recorded with an infrared emitter/detector directed at the eye with fiber-optic cabling. Results: Results indicate that a single daily session of habituation is sufficient to produce adequate immobility on subsequent days to avoid movement artifacts. Results include high resolution images in the stereotaxic plane of the rabbit. Comparison with existing method(s): We see no degradation or distortion of MR signal, and the headbolt provides a means for rapid realignment of the head in the magnet from day to day, and across subjects. The use of rabbits instead of rodents allows much shorter periods of habituation, and the rabbit allows behavior to be observed during the day while the animal is in its normal wake cycle. Conclusions: The natural tolerance of the rabbit for restraint makes it a valuable subject for MRI studies of the brain.
KW - AFNI
KW - Animal models
KW - BOLD imaging
KW - FSL
KW - Functional connectivity
KW - Manganese enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Stereotaxic atlas
KW - Whisker stimulation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020187952&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85020187952&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.05.021
DO - 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.05.021
M3 - Article
VL - 300
SP - 196
EP - 205
JO - Journal of Neuroscience Methods
JF - Journal of Neuroscience Methods
SN - 0165-0270
ER -