Where do we stand on fMRI in awake mice?
Francesca MandinoStella VujicJoanes GrandjeanEvelyn M R LakePublished in: Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) (2024)
Imaging awake animals is quickly gaining traction in neuroscience as it offers a means to eliminate the confounding effects of anesthesia, difficulties of inter-species translation (when humans are typically imaged while awake), and the inability to investigate the full range of brain and behavioral states in unconscious animals. In this systematic review, we focus on the development of awake mouse blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Mice are widely used in research due to their fast-breeding cycle, genetic malleability, and low cost. Functional MRI yields whole-brain coverage and can be performed on both humans and animal models making it an ideal modality for comparing study findings across species. We provide an analysis of 30 articles (years 2011-2022) identified through a systematic literature search. Our conclusions include that head-posts are favorable, acclimation training for 10-14 d is likely ample under certain conditions, stress has been poorly characterized, and more standardization is needed to accelerate progress. For context, an overview of awake rat fMRI studies is also included. We make recommendations that will benefit a wide range of neuroscience applications.
Keyphrases
- resting state
- functional connectivity
- systematic review
- deep brain stimulation
- magnetic resonance imaging
- low cost
- contrast enhanced
- high fat diet induced
- high resolution
- white matter
- oxidative stress
- computed tomography
- adipose tissue
- type diabetes
- clinical practice
- gene expression
- genome wide
- mass spectrometry
- optic nerve
- multiple sclerosis
- stress induced
- brain injury
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- virtual reality
- fluorescence imaging