Real-time Diffuse near-IR Optical Tomography with EEG Recordings

描述(由申请人提供)： 成像(即功能磁共振成像)的最新发展赋予了研究人员实时可视化大脑活动的能力。然而，这些成像技术中的许多1)昂贵且耗时；2)不允许受试者与他们的环境完全交互；3)不允许真正的同步电测量。动态近红外光学层析成像(DYNOT)是一种新的非侵入性成像技术，使研究人员能够实时探索脑内血流动力学的变化。利用当前关于大脑功能的生理需求的理论，Hb的变化可以与大脑活动相关联，类似于通过fMRI获得的血氧水平依赖(BOLD)反应。这项技术是经济的，可以使之便携，并允许与其他生理监测技术相结合，即EEC和相关的单细胞电记录。该项目旨在将DYNOT技术的最新版本，即自由活动动物的功能成像，与不同大脑区域的多个和细胞内神经记录相结合，在接受预先设定的学习任务的大鼠中，在三个大脑区域中的一个引起特定反应。DYNOT和EEC/单细胞记录都可以通过连接到动物头部的探针/电极同时测量，从而可以研究在执行任务时记忆系统之间的切换。此外，该实验装置非常适合神经科学中一种新兴的信号处理方法，称为同步指数，该方法能够测量海马体内一组细胞内记录之间的相位锁定。对将要研究的三个大脑区域的脑电/细胞内记录集进行同步指数计算，将使我们能够展示这些区域中神经元之间的通信。与同步指数计算相结合的记录将允许研究学习和记忆存储，以及不同大脑区域之间的实时相互联系，同时受试者可以自由地与环境的所有方面互动。这一综合方法的成功演示将为探索涉及真实世界刺激、学习和记忆存储/回忆的一系列其他正常大脑功能和病理奠定基础。在未来，这项工作可以应用于ADHD、癫痫、阿尔茨海默病、中风、脑水肿和脑膜出血的研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent developments in imaging (i.e. functional MRI) have endowed researchers with the ability to visualize brain activity in real time. However, many of these imaging techniques 1) are expensive and timeconsuming to use; 2) do not allow subjects to fully interact with their environment; and 3) do not allow for truly simultaneous electrical measurements. Dynamic Near-infrared Optical Tomography (DYNOT) is a new non-invasive imaging technology that allows the researcher to explore hemodynamic changes in the brain in real time. Hb changes can be correlated to brain activity using current theories on the physiologic requirements for brain function, similar to the Blood-Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) response obtained with fMRI. The technology is economical, can be made portable, and allows for combination with other physiological monitoring technologies, namely EEC and associated single-cell electrical recordings. This project aims to combine the latest version of DYNOT technology, functional imaging in freely moving animals, with multi and intra-cellular neural recordings of various brain regions, in rats undergoing pre-established learning tasks that elicit a specific response in one of three brain regions. Both DYNOT & EEC/single cell recordings can be simultaneously measured from probes/electrodes attached to the animal's head, allowing for study of the switching among memory systems as tasks are performed. Furthermore, the experimental setup is well suited for an emerging signal processing methodology in neuroscience, called synchrony index, which is capable of measuring the phase-locking between a set of intracellular recordings within the hippocampus. Synchrony index calculations on sets of EEG/intracellular recordings from the three brain regions to be studied will allow us to demonstrate communication between the neurons in these regions. The combined recordings with synchrony index calculations will permit the study of learning and memory storage, as well as interconnections between a variety of brain regions in real time, all while the subject is free to interact with all aspects of the environment. Successful demonstration of this integrated approach will set the stage for the exploration of a spectrum of other normal brain functions and pathologies involving real-world stimuli, learning, and memory storage/recall. In the future, this work can have applications in the study of ADHD, epilepsy, Alzheimer's Disease, stroke, brain edema, and meningeal hemorrhages.