Mapping the functional network of medial prefrontal cortex by combining optogenetics and fMRI in awake rats.
Mapping the functional network of medial prefrontal cortex by combining optogenetics and fMRI in awake rats.
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DOI：
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.05.036
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发表时间：
2015-08-15
期刊：
影响因子：
5.7
通讯作者：
Zhang N
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Liang Z;Watson GD;Alloway KD;Lee G;Neuberger T;Zhang N
内侧前额叶皮层（mPFC）在多种认知和边缘系统功能中起着关键作用。鉴于其至关重要的意义，研究动物模型中单个mPFC回路的功能为深入了解不同行为和精神疾病的神经基础提供了重要的见解。然而，我们对mPFC全脑网络的了解主要停留在解剖学水平上，而mPFC的功能网络在不同条件下或操作后可以是动态的，特别是在清醒的啮齿动物中仍然难以捉摸。在这里，我们结合了光遗传学刺激和功能磁共振成像（opto-fMRI），以揭示清醒啮齿动物中mPFC输出功能激活的大脑区域网络。我们的数据显示，当mPFC被光学刺激时，前额叶、纹状体和边缘系统区域的血氧水平依赖（BOLD）信号显著增加。这种激活模式是强大的，可重复的，并不依赖于清醒大鼠的刺激期。然而，当动物被麻醉时，BOLD信号显著降低。此外，通过电生理记录证实了在mPFC刺激期间显示BOLD信号增加的区域脑激活。这些结果扩大了适用性的opto-fMRI方法从感觉运动处理的认知相关的网络在清醒的啮齿动物。重要的是，它可能有助于阐明许多mPFC相关的功能和行为，需要在清醒状态下进行评估的电路机制。
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a critical role in multiple cognitive and limbic functions. Given its vital importance, investigating the function of individual mPFC circuits in animal models has provided critical insight into the neural basis underlying different behaviors and psychiatric conditions. However, our knowledge regarding the mPFC whole-brain network stays largely at the anatomical level, while the functional network of mPFC, which can be dynamic in different conditions or following manipulations, remains elusive especially in awake rodents. Here we combined optogenetic stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging (opto-fMRI) to reveal the network of brain regions functionally activated by mPFC outputs in awake rodents. Our data showed significant increases in blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signals in prefrontal, striatal and limbic regions when mPFC was optically stimulated. This activation pattern was robust, reproducible, and did not depend on the stimulation period in awake rats. BOLD signals, however, were substantially reduced when animals were anesthetized. In addition, regional brain activation showing increased BOLD signals during mPFC stimulation was corroborated by electrophysiological recordings. These results expand the applicability of the opto-fMRI approach from sensorimotor processing to cognition-related networks in awake rodents. Importantly, it may help elucidate the circuit mechanisms underlying numerous mPFC-related functions and behaviors that need to be assessed in the awake state.