Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 129.2 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Functional MRI of the Rat Motor Cortex Using Passive Forepaw Movement. |
| Authors: |
Busch, E.*1
; Bockhorst, K.2
; Meier, M.3
; Huege, S.1
; Roth, G.3
; Leibfritz, D.2
; Dreher, W.2
1Dept Neurol, Univ, Essen, Germany 2Instrumentelle Analytik, Univ, Bremen, Germany 3Institut für Hirnforschung, Univ, Bremen, Germany |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Motor Systems - Cortex and Thalamus -- Imaging |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions<br />- Cerebral Blood Flow |
| Session: |
129. Cortex and thalamus: cortical control of movement I Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 11, 2001 1:15 PM-1:30 PM |
| Location: | Room 28D |
| Keywords: | BLOOD FLOW, PLASTICITY |
INTRODUCTION: So far fMRI could not be used to study functional reorganisation in rodent brain due to a lack of a paradigm for the motor system. In humans passive movement activates the motor cortex(1). We studied whether passive forepaw movement in the rat causes significant fMRI signal changes.
METHODS: Seven rats were anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose. For perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) we used arterial spin tagging on a 4,7T MR-tomograph(2). Passive forepaw movement of the right wrist and elbow was induced with a frequency of 1,5Hz and an amplitude of 90° using a hydraulic pump. Electrical stimulation of the left forepaw was performed for comparison(2). Each experiment consisted of 50 perfusion weighted images during which passive movement (n=31) or electrical stimulation (n=24) were applied (off-on-off-on-off).
RESULTS: During passive forepaw movement we observed in 4 of 7 rats and 13 of 31 experiments significant signal changes on PWI, which were located within the left sensory-motor cortex (t-test, p<0,05). For comparison, during electrical forepaw stimulation we observed in 6 of 7 rats and 13 of 24 experiments significant signal changes in the right somatosensory cortex.
DISCUSSION: The motor and somatosensory cortex are not clearly distinguished in rats. The assumption, that the observed signal changes during passive movement are located within the motor cortex is based on the results of analogue experiments in humans (1). Our approach could open a new avenue to study functional reorganisation and therapeutic interventions in the rodent brain.
(1) Weiller et al., Neuroimage 1996 (2) Kerskens et al., NMR Biomed 1995.
METHODS: Seven rats were anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose. For perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) we used arterial spin tagging on a 4,7T MR-tomograph(2). Passive forepaw movement of the right wrist and elbow was induced with a frequency of 1,5Hz and an amplitude of 90° using a hydraulic pump. Electrical stimulation of the left forepaw was performed for comparison(2). Each experiment consisted of 50 perfusion weighted images during which passive movement (n=31) or electrical stimulation (n=24) were applied (off-on-off-on-off).
RESULTS: During passive forepaw movement we observed in 4 of 7 rats and 13 of 31 experiments significant signal changes on PWI, which were located within the left sensory-motor cortex (t-test, p<0,05). For comparison, during electrical forepaw stimulation we observed in 6 of 7 rats and 13 of 24 experiments significant signal changes in the right somatosensory cortex.
DISCUSSION: The motor and somatosensory cortex are not clearly distinguished in rats. The assumption, that the observed signal changes during passive movement are located within the motor cortex is based on the results of analogue experiments in humans (1). Our approach could open a new avenue to study functional reorganisation and therapeutic interventions in the rodent brain.
(1) Weiller et al., Neuroimage 1996 (2) Kerskens et al., NMR Biomed 1995.
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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