Summary
Functional-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has transformed our understanding of brain function due to its ability to noninvasively tag ‘active’ brain regions. Nevertheless, fMRI only detects neural activity indirectly, by relying on slow hemodynamic couplings whose relationships with underlying neural activity are not fully known.
We have recently pioneered two unique MR approaches: Non-Uniform Oscillating-Gradient Spin-Echo (NOGSE) MRI and Relaxation Enhanced MR Spectroscopy (RE MRS). NOGSE-MRI is an exquisite microstructural probe, sensing cell sizes (l) with an unprecedented l^6 sensitivity (compared to l^2 in conventional approaches); RE MRS is a new spectral technique capable of recording metabolic signals with extraordinary fidelity at ultrahigh fields.
This proposal aims to harness these novel concepts for mapping neural activity directly, without relying on hemodynamics.
The specific objectives of this proposal are:
(1) Mapping neural activity via sensing cell swellings upon activity: we hypothesize that NOGSE-fMRI can robustly sense subtle changes in cellular microstructure upon neural firings and hence convey neural activity directly.
(2) Probing the nature of elicited activity via detection of neurotransmitter release: we posit that RE MRS is sufficiently sensitive to robustly detect changes in Glutamate and GABA signals upon activation.
(3) Investigating widespread neural circuits in vivo via stroboscopic optogenetics: we propose to couple NOGSE-fMRI with optogenetics to resolve casual dynamics in global neural circuitry.
Simulations for NOGSE-fMRI predict >4% signal changes upon subtle cell swellings; further, our in vivo RE MRS experiments have detected metabolites with SNR>50 in only 6 seconds. Hence, these two complementary –and importantly, hemodynamics-independent– approaches will represent a true paradigm shift: from indirect detection of neurovasculature couplings towards direct and noninvasive mapping of neural activity in vivo.
We have recently pioneered two unique MR approaches: Non-Uniform Oscillating-Gradient Spin-Echo (NOGSE) MRI and Relaxation Enhanced MR Spectroscopy (RE MRS). NOGSE-MRI is an exquisite microstructural probe, sensing cell sizes (l) with an unprecedented l^6 sensitivity (compared to l^2 in conventional approaches); RE MRS is a new spectral technique capable of recording metabolic signals with extraordinary fidelity at ultrahigh fields.
This proposal aims to harness these novel concepts for mapping neural activity directly, without relying on hemodynamics.
The specific objectives of this proposal are:
(1) Mapping neural activity via sensing cell swellings upon activity: we hypothesize that NOGSE-fMRI can robustly sense subtle changes in cellular microstructure upon neural firings and hence convey neural activity directly.
(2) Probing the nature of elicited activity via detection of neurotransmitter release: we posit that RE MRS is sufficiently sensitive to robustly detect changes in Glutamate and GABA signals upon activation.
(3) Investigating widespread neural circuits in vivo via stroboscopic optogenetics: we propose to couple NOGSE-fMRI with optogenetics to resolve casual dynamics in global neural circuitry.
Simulations for NOGSE-fMRI predict >4% signal changes upon subtle cell swellings; further, our in vivo RE MRS experiments have detected metabolites with SNR>50 in only 6 seconds. Hence, these two complementary –and importantly, hemodynamics-independent– approaches will represent a true paradigm shift: from indirect detection of neurovasculature couplings towards direct and noninvasive mapping of neural activity in vivo.
Unfold all
/
Fold all
More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/657366 |
| Start date: | 01-04-2015 |
| End date: | 31-03-2017 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 160 635,60 Euro - 160 635,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Functional-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has transformed our understanding of brain function due to its ability to noninvasively tag ‘active’ brain regions. Nevertheless, fMRI only detects neural activity indirectly, by relying on slow hemodynamic couplings whose relationships with underlying neural activity are not fully known.We have recently pioneered two unique MR approaches: Non-Uniform Oscillating-Gradient Spin-Echo (NOGSE) MRI and Relaxation Enhanced MR Spectroscopy (RE MRS). NOGSE-MRI is an exquisite microstructural probe, sensing cell sizes (l) with an unprecedented l^6 sensitivity (compared to l^2 in conventional approaches); RE MRS is a new spectral technique capable of recording metabolic signals with extraordinary fidelity at ultrahigh fields.
This proposal aims to harness these novel concepts for mapping neural activity directly, without relying on hemodynamics.
The specific objectives of this proposal are:
(1) Mapping neural activity via sensing cell swellings upon activity: we hypothesize that NOGSE-fMRI can robustly sense subtle changes in cellular microstructure upon neural firings and hence convey neural activity directly.
(2) Probing the nature of elicited activity via detection of neurotransmitter release: we posit that RE MRS is sufficiently sensitive to robustly detect changes in Glutamate and GABA signals upon activation.
(3) Investigating widespread neural circuits in vivo via stroboscopic optogenetics: we propose to couple NOGSE-fMRI with optogenetics to resolve casual dynamics in global neural circuitry.
Simulations for NOGSE-fMRI predict >4% signal changes upon subtle cell swellings; further, our in vivo RE MRS experiments have detected metabolites with SNR>50 in only 6 seconds. Hence, these two complementary –and importantly, hemodynamics-independent– approaches will represent a true paradigm shift: from indirect detection of neurovasculature couplings towards direct and noninvasive mapping of neural activity in vivo.
Status
CLOSEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2014-EFUpdate Date
28-04-2024
Images
No images available.
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
Unfold all
/
Fold all
