Intraoperative visualization of human cortical activation using intrinsic fluorescence signal imaging

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K09384
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56010:Neurosurgery-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Makoto Oishi 新潟大学, 脳研究所, 教授 (00422593)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: optical imaging / flavoprotein / brain function

Outline of Final Research Achievements

n the present study, we set out to detect neural activity using intraoperative flavoprotein fluorescence imaging (iFFI), which involves visualization of fluorescence changes derived from aerobic energy metabolism. In 7 brain tumor patients, neural activities were induced by direct electrical stimulation of surrounding cortex, and iFFI and intraoperative PDI (iPDI) were performed. Optical response of iFFI demonstrated a biphasic time course in which a short time increase in fluorescence was followed by a negative fluorescence change. By iPDI, only a relatively long-lasting negative signals were observed. The positive component of iFFI signals appeared the fastest and were most localized. These results suggest that detection of the positive component in iFFI enables earlier and more accurate detection of neural activity, potentially having profound influence on intraoperative detection of neural activity.

Free Research Field

脳神経外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々は脳表刺激によるヒト大脳皮質での賦活活動のフラビン蛍光法による可視化をはじめて成し遂げた．大脳皮質の活動の可視化は今後の脳機能の研究に大きな発展を及ぼす可能性があると考えている．現在，小さな大脳誘発電位の観察にトライしており，いまだ難しい点が多いが，あと一息のところにある．目先を変えれば，てんかん性自発放電などにも応用してゆき，脳神経外科手術の安全性に貢献できる手術支援法としての確立に努めたい．