Development of conprehensive neurodepolarization MRI method under freely behavioral rodents using novel contrast agents

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K18375
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90110:Biomedical engineering-related
• Research Institution: National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: SATO Chika 国立研究開発法人量子科学技術研究開発機構, 量子生命科学研究所, 研究員 (70772888)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: MRI

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to develop techniques for measuring and analyzing whole-brain activation regions under free-moving conditions. To achieve this, we developed a method combining manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI), which reflects brain functionality, with ex vivo high spatial resolution imaging techniques. Additionally, we established a multimodal measurement method using wide-field two-photon microscopy and functional MRI, and investigated techniques for co-registering these images. These advancements enabled the acquisition of high-resolution manganese-enhanced images and facilitated the comparison of identical regions across different modalities.

Free Research Field

脳神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

機能的MRIは、時空間分解能は低いものの、自由行動下での全脳の機能計測が可能な手法である。一方で脳全体の挙動は個々の神経活動を検出するだけでは理解が困難であり、脳の情報処理機構を解明するためには細胞集団としての活動を検出することも重要である。本研究により神経活動の詳細な解析が可能になり、脳の機能的な理解が深まる。また精神疾患モデル動物に適用することで疾患の原因解明や新たな診断・治療法の開発が期待できる。