Mapping functional connectivity using cerebral blood flow in the mouse brain

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2015 Mar;35(3):367-70. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2014.211. Epub 2014 Dec 10.

Abstract

Brain function can be assessed from resting-state functional connectivity (rs-fc) maps, most commonly created by analyzing the dynamics of cerebral hemoglobin concentration. Here, we develop the use of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) for mapping rs-fc using cerebral blood flow (CBF) dynamics. Because LSCI is intrinsically noisy, we used spatial and temporal averaging to sufficiently raise the signal-to-noise ratio for observing robust functional networks. Although CBF-based rs-fc maps in healthy mice are qualitatively similar to simultaneously-acquired [HbO2]-based maps, some quantitative regional differences were observed. These combined flow/concentration maps might help clarify mechanisms involved in network disruption during disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neural Pathways / physiology*