Linking cortical circuit models to human cognition with laminar fMRI

Yang, Jiajia; Huber, Laurentius; Yu, Yanan; Bandettini, Peter A.

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.005

Cited by 35 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 132 publications

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“…functional connectivity). Due to the neuroscientifically established layer-dependent structural connectivity in the early visual cortex (Felleman and Van Essen 1991), we used visual areas V1-V8 as a ‘testbed’ to explore the usability of the developed protocols (Felleman and Van Essen 1991; Markov and Kennedy 2013; Jia et al 2020; Yang et al 2021). Functional connectivity matrices and potential connectivity hypotheses are depicted in Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acquisition and processing methods of whole-brain layer-fMRI VASO and BOLD: The Kenshu dataset

Koiso

Mueller

Akamatsu

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Cortical depth-dependent functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI), also known as layer-fMRI, has the potential to capture directional neural information flow of brain computations within and across large-scale cortical brain networks. E.g., layer-fMRI can differentiate feedforward and feedback cortical input in hierarchically organized brain networks. Recent advancements in 3D-EPI sampling approaches and MR contrast generation strategies have allowed proof-of-principle studies showing that layer-fMRI can provide sufficient data quality for capturing laminar changes in functional connectivity. These studies have however not shown how reliable the signal is and how repeatable the respective results are. It is especially unclear whether whole-brain layer-fMRI functional connectivity protocols are widely applicable across common neuroscience-driven analysis approaches. Moreover, there are no established preprocessing fMRI methods that are optimized to work for whole-brain layer-fMRI datasets. In this work, we aimed to serve the field of layer-fMRI and build tools for future routine whole-brain layer-fMRI in application-based neuroscience research. We have developed publicly available sequences, acquisition protocols, and processing pipelines for whole-brain layer-fMRI. These protocols are validated across 60 hours of scanning in nine participants. Specifically, we identified and exploited methodological advancements for maximizing tSNR efficiency and test-retest reliability. We are sharing an extensive multi-modal whole-brain layer-fMRI dataset (20 scan hours of movie-watching in a single participant) for the purpose of benchmarking future method developments: The Kenshu dataset. With this dataset, we are also exemplifying the usefulness of whole brain layer-fMRI for commonly applied analysis approaches in modern cognitive neuroscience fMRI studies. This includes connectivity analyses, representational similarity matrix estimations, general linear model analyses, principal component analysis clustering, etc. We believe that this work paves the road for future routine measurements of directional functional connectivity across the entire brain.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acquisition and processing methods of whole-brain layer-fMRI VASO and BOLD: The Kenshu dataset

Koiso

Mueller

Akamatsu

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…In addition, the resolution of somatotopic mapping results was limited by the spatial resolution of 3 T MRI, a 7 T MR scanner with high spatial resolution would be performed in future work. 37 Compared with commercial devices, the availability of the current device was limited since it was manufactured in house. Furthermore, the small sample size might cause statistical bias, thus, increasing the number of subjects would be helpful.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Piezoelectric Actuated Tactile Stimulation Device for Population Receptive Field Mapping in Human Somatosensory Cortex With fMRI

Wang

et al. 2022

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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Background Multichannel tactile stimulation devices is need to investigate human finger population receptive field (pRF) characteristics in the primary somatosensory cortex during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Purpose To accurately characterize right‐hand somatosensory representation based on the Bayesian pRF model. Study Type Prospective. Population A water phantom and six healthy participants (four males, mean 23.8 years old). Field Strength/Sequence T1‐weighted magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient‐echo, T2*‐weighted echo planar imaging at 3 T. Assessment The piezoelectric actuated tactile stimulation device consisted of execution unit and control unit. The output performance of the device was measured by a laser displacement sensor. The effect of the device on images' signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was measured by phantom experiments. The activation representation arrangement order, relative volumes, and receptive field size of the right hand were assessed during the along‐digits and cross‐digits paradigms. Statistical Tests The normality of the data was tested by the Shapiro–Wilk method. A paired‐sample t test was performed to test pRF characteristics for all digit pairings. The significance level was set to P = 0.05 (false discovery rate [FDR] correct). Results Percussive stimulation provided by the piezoelectric actuated tactile stimulator had a stable displacement (2.64 mm) over a wide range of vibration frequencies (0–30 Hz). The output delay of the device was 1 millisecond. The device did not affect the image's SNR (without the device: SNR = 138.24 ± 7.87, temporal SNR [TSNR] = 440.03 ± 52.08. With the device: SNR = 138.06 ± 8.44, TSNR = 438.52 ± 56.38. PSNR = 0.88, PTSNR = 0.46). Representations of right‐hand fingers showed the same arrangement order in both experiments (D1–D5 arranged along the central sulcus). However, the relative volumes of D3 showed significant differences in S1 (P = 0.003). Among four subareas, the relative volumes of D3 were significantly different in area 1 (P = 0.047). Data Conclusion This developed stimulator, through experimental verification, could play a role in pRF mapping exploration. Level of Evidence 2 Technical Efficacy Stage 1

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“…Layer-fMRI has the potential to provide circuitry information of neural processing that was previously only accessible with invasive procedures in animal research (Yang et al 2021). Until now however, most layer-fMRI studies have been confined to specialized ultra-high field (UHF) equipment (7-9.4 Tesla) and venous-biased sequences, which is problematic (Bollmann and Barth 2020; Weldon and Olman 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the capabilities and challenges of layer-fMRI VASO at 3T

Huber

Kronbichler

Stirnberg

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Sub-millimeter functional imaging has the potential to capture cortical layer-specific functional information flow within and across brain systems. Recent sequence advancements of fMRI signal readout and contrast generations resulted in wide adaptation of layer-fMRI protocols across the global ultra high-field (UHF) neuroimaging community. However, most layer-fMRI applications are confined to one of ≈100 privileged UHF imaging centers, and sequence contrasts with unwanted sensitivity to large draining veins. In this work, we propose the application of vein-signal free vascular space occupancy (VASO) sequences at widely accessible 3T scanners. Specifically, we implement, characterize, and apply a cerebral blood volume (CBV)-sensitive VASO fMRI at a 3T scanner setup, as it is typically used in the majority of cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuroscience fMRI studies. We find that the longer T2*, and stronger relative T1 contrast at 3T can account for some of the lower z-magnetization in the inversion-recovery VASO sequence compared to 7T and 9.4T. In the main series of experiments (N=16), we test the utility of this setup for motor tasks and find that -while being limited by thermal noise- 3T layer-fMRI VASO is feasible within conventional scan durations. In a series of auxiliary studies, we furthermore explore the generalizability of the developed protocols for a larger range of study designs including: visual stimulation, whole brain movie watching paradigms, and cognitive tasks with weaker effect sizes. We hope that the developed imaging protocols will help to increase accessibility of vein-free layer-fMRI imaging tools to a wider community of neuroimaging centers.

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Linking cortical circuit models to human cognition with laminar fMRI

Cited by 35 publications

References 132 publications

Acquisition and processing methods of whole-brain layer-fMRI VASO and BOLD: The Kenshu dataset

Acquisition and processing methods of whole-brain layer-fMRI VASO and BOLD: The Kenshu dataset

Development of a Piezoelectric Actuated Tactile Stimulation Device for Population Receptive Field Mapping in Human Somatosensory Cortex With fMRI

Evaluating the capabilities and challenges of layer-fMRI VASO at 3T

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