fMRI of visual system activation in the conscious rabbit

• Published in: Magnetic resonance in medicine 2000-09, Vol.44 (3), p.474-478
• Main Authors: Wyrwicz, Alice M., Chen, Nan-kuei, Li, Limin, Weiss, Craig, Disterhoft, John F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; BOLD; Brain Mapping; conscious animal model; fMRI; functional activations; Geniculate Bodies - anatomy & histology; Geniculate Bodies - physiology; Image Enhancement; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical sciences; Nervous system; Photic Stimulation; Rabbits; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Reproducibility of Results; Restraint, Physical; visual cortex; Visual Cortex - anatomy & histology; Visual Cortex - physiology; Visual Pathways - physiology; Visual Perception - physiology; Wakefulness - physiology
• ISSN: 0740-3194; 1522-2594
• DOI: 10.1002/1522-2594(200009)44:3<474::AID-MRM19>3.0.CO;2-I

A conscious rabbit preparation developed for fMRI, and the results from visual stimulation studies at a 4.7T magnetic field are described. The rabbit is ideal for these experiments because of its natural tolerance for restraint. High spatial and temporal resolution magnetic resonance images, without movement artifacts, were obtained during long periods of restraint. Functional activation in primary visual cortex and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) were reproducibly observed in response to light stimulus. In comparison to existing anesthetized animal models, a functional response free of the anesthetic modulation can be recorded with the new approach. The conscious animal model can be applied to functional studies of sensory systems, learning and memory, and drug‐induced cerebral activation. Magn Reson Med 44:474–478, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.