Visualization of the visual cortex in minipigs using fMRI

Minipigs are widely used to examine physiologic mechanisms under experimental settings. The purpose of our study was to localize the visual cortex of minipigs using visual stimulation in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Five male Göttinger minipigs were studied with fMRI during visual s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research in veterinary science 2007-06, Vol.82 (3), p.281-286
Main Authors: Gizewski, Elke R., Schanze, Thomas, Bolle, Ines, de Greiff, Armin, Forsting, Michael, Laube, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal models
animal physiology
Animal study
Animals
fMRI
Functional anatomy
functional magnetic resonance imaging
human physiology
Humans
image analysis
laboratory animals
light
magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - veterinary
miniature swine
nervous system
neurophysiology
physiological response
Pig
retina
sensation
Swine
Swine, Miniature - anatomy & histology
Swine, Miniature - physiology
Veterinary medicine
vision
visual cortex
Visual Cortex - anatomy & histology
Visual Cortex - physiology
Visual system
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Summary:Minipigs are widely used to examine physiologic mechanisms under experimental settings. The purpose of our study was to localize the visual cortex of minipigs using visual stimulation in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Five male Göttinger minipigs were studied with fMRI during visual stimulation with series of light impulses conducted into the MR cabin via fibre optical wave guides (EPI sequences, block design, 1.5 T clinical routine MR-scanner). Statistics were performed using SPM’99. All minipigs showed activation of the visual cortex due to light stimulation. The activation could be superimposed to T2-weighted structural images with good spatial resolution revealing the exact location of the visual cortex. We were able to localize the visual cortex in minipigs for the first time utilizing fMRI on a routine scanner. However, this may be useful for precise positioning of electrodes or implants or be used as a further uncomplicated non-invasive method in physiologic experiments.
ISSN:0034-5288
1532-2661
DOI:10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.08.004