Photoacoustic imaging of functional domains on primary motor cortex of monkeys

描述(申请人提供)：灵长类动物大脑的功能检测具有特殊的优势，因为非人类灵长类动物的大脑与人类大脑相似，而且可能与中风和帕金森病等一系列疾病相关。在拟议的研究中，我们使用光声成像(PAI)来检测恒河猴初级运动皮质的功能变化。在恒河猴中，初级运动皮质埋在中央前回，向下延伸到表面下8-9毫米处。因此，PAI在成像更深层次结构方面的优势对这一应用特别有利。综上所述，利用PAI检测灵长类动物脑功能的优势包括：(1)不需要十二指肠切开，因此是一个微创的过程；(2)检测光吸收特性，具有内在的敏感性和高对比度；(3)成像埋藏的皮质结构；(4)高分辨率~100 5m；(5)可以实时执行潜在的PAI。这项研究的长期目标是开发PAI作为灵长类研究中高分辨率功能脑成像的合格工具。目前研究的目的是测试PAI用于检测灵长类动物脑活动的可行性，使用微创程序。建立一种微创的研究程序很重要，因为它可以减少动物的压力，同时研究可以在友好的环境中进行，以产生高度可靠的结果。这一假设的基本假设是，PAI可以可靠地检测到猕猴通过硬脑膜与前肢运动相关的初级运动皮质的激活，并提供深度分辨的功能信息。本研究的具体目的包括：(1)建立猴脑皮质PAI成像系统；(2)在猴脑皮质上生成结构图像和功能图像；(3)比较PAI与其他已有技术的灵敏度和分辨率。 公共卫生相关性：在这个项目中，我们建议测试光声成像技术在非人类灵长类动物中进行脑功能成像的可行性。利用光声成像，可以在超声分辨率下用光学对比度对埋藏的皮质结构进行成像。该项目的成功可能会对非人类灵长类动物中风和帕金森氏症的研究做出贡献。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Functional detection in primate brains has particular advantages because of the similarity between non-human primate brain and human brain and the potential for relevance to a wide range of conditions such as stroke and Parkinson's disease. In the proposed research, we use photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to detect functional changes at primary motor cortex of rhesus monkeys. In a rhesus monkey, primary motor cortex is buried in the precentral gyrus, which extends down 8-9 mm below the surface. Therefore, the advantage of PAI for imaging deeper structures is particularly beneficial for this application. In summary, the advantages of utilizing PAI for the detection of primate brain function include: (1) durotomy is not required, therefore, it is a minimal-invasive process; (2) detecting optical absorption properties, which is intrinsically sensitive and provide high contrast; (3) imaging buried cortical structures; (4) high-resolution of ~100 5m; (5) potentially PAI can be performed in real-time. The long term goal of this research is to develop PAI as a qualified tool for high-resolution functional brain imaging in primate research. The objective of current research is to test the feasibility of PAI for detection of primate brain activation using a minimal-invasive procedure. The establishment of a minimal-invasive procedure for research is important because it reduces the stress on the animal while studies can be carried out in a friendly environment to produce highly reliable results. The underlying hypothesis of this proposal is that PAI can reliably detect primary motor cortex activation associated with forelimb movement in rhesus macaques through the dura matter, and provide depth-resolved functional information. The specific aims of this study include (1) to construct a PAI system for monkey brain cortex imaging; (2) to produce both structural and functional images on monkey brain cortex; (3) to compare the sensitivity and resolution of PAI with other established techniques. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: In this project, we propose to test the feasibility of photoacoustic imaging technique for brain function imaging in non-human primates. With photoacoustic imaging, buried cortical structures might be imaged with optical contrast at ultrasound resolution. The success of this project will potentially contribute to studies involving stroke and Parkinson's disease in non- human primates.