A multi-modal wireless oscillator array for high-resolution mapping of neurovascular coupling

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Abstract An outstanding challenge of brain research is to link the cross-scale functional perspectives from the cellular and molecular level to the circuit and systems level. To address this unmet need, simultaneous fMRI with electroencephalogram (EEG) recording presents a unique scheme for functional dynamic mapping that would link neuronal activity with vascular hemodynamics. But mismatching of spatial localization between EEG and MRI, and their crosstalk due to electromagnetic interference have complicated post-processing procedures and interpretation of functional dynamics. Moreover, the confounding effect of astrocytic modulation can make fMRI signals have large variability, sometimes even opposite coupling features to neuronal activity. Therefore, there is strong motivation to surpass conventional paradigms of concurrent fMRI, EEG, and fiber photometry, to boost their performance via complementary strengths. Toward this goal, we will fabricate a wirelessly powered detector that can encode both neuronal and MRI signals into the same wireless carrier wave (Aim 1). We will validate the oscillator’s uncompromised detection performance against conventional wired detectors. We will also validate neuronal activation detected by wireless electrode against neuronal Ca2+ flux detected by fiber photometry. In Aim 2, we will develop a multi-electrode wireless oscillator to record neuronal signals from multiple brain layers and correlate them with layer-resolved line-scanning fMRI acquired in real-time. Meanwhile, we will use astrocytic Ca2+ as an indicator for spontaneous versus evoked neuronal activity. In Aim 3, we will develop a multi-element oscillator array to map neuro-glial-vascular (NGV) interaction across the entire brain, providing unique insights into synchronized neuronal activity when epileptic-like events are induced by optogenetic stimulation in the hippocampus. Successful completion of this project will enable us to better understand the NGV modulation of functional MRI, paving the way to bridge neuronal activity and behavior in normal and pathological brains.