The impact of ultra-high field MRI on cognitive and computational neuroimaging

• Published in: NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Fla.), 2018-03, Vol.168, p.366-382
• Main Authors: De Martino, Federico, Yacoub, Essa, Kemper, Valentin, Moerel, Michelle, Uludağ, Kâmil, De Weerd, Peter, Ugurbil, Kamil, Goebel, Rainer, Formisano, Elia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Brain - anatomy & histology; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brain - physiology; Brain mapping; Brain research; Cognitive ability; Computational models; Computational neuroscience; Cortex; Cortical columns; Cortical laminae; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Functional Neuroimaging - methods; High spatial resolution; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Information processing; Information systems; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical imaging; Mental Processes - physiology; Models, Theoretical; Neural networks; Neuroimaging; Neurovascular Coupling - physiology; NMR; Noise; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Physiology; Sensory integration; Studies; Subcortical; Ultra high magnetic fields
• ISSN: 1053-8119; 1095-9572
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.03.060

The ability to measure functional brain responses non-invasively with ultra high field MRI (7 T and above) represents a unique opportunity in advancing our understanding of the human brain. Compared to lower fields (3 T and below), ultra high field MRI has an increased sensitivity, which can be used to acquire functional images with greater spatial resolution, and greater specificity of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal to the underlying neuronal responses. Together, increased resolution and specificity enable investigating brain functions at a submillimeter scale, which so far could only be done with invasive techniques. At this mesoscopic spatial scale, perception, cognition and behavior can be probed at the level of fundamental units of neural computations, such as cortical columns, cortical layers, and subcortical nuclei. This represents a unique and distinctive advantage that differentiates ultra high from lower field imaging and that can foster a tighter link between fMRI and computational modeling of neural networks. So far, functional brain mapping at submillimeter scale has focused on the processing of sensory information and on well-known systems for which extensive information is available from invasive recordings in animals. It remains an open challenge to extend this methodology to uniquely human functions and, more generally, to systems for which animal models may be problematic. To succeed, the possibility to acquire high-resolution functional data with large spatial coverage, the availability of computational models of neural processing as well as accurate biophysical modeling of neurovascular coupling at mesoscopic scale all appear necessary. •Increasing field strength provides advantages in studying brain function in vivo.•High fields allow imaging functional subdivisions of sub-cortical regions.•At high fields functional imaging can be performed at the mesoscopic scale.•At the mesoscale brain inspired computational models can be tested and developed.•Laminar neourvascular coupling models need updating to extend applications.