In:
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Frontiers Media SA, Vol. 17 ( 2023-8-10)
Abstract:
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) visualizes brain structures at increasingly higher resolution and better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as field strength increases. Yet, mapping the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) response to distinct neuronal processes continues to be challenging. Here, we investigated the characteristics of 7 T-fMRI compared to 3 T-fMRI in the human brain beyond the effect of increased SNR and verified the benefits of 7 T-fMRI in the detection of tiny, highly specific modulations of functional connectivity in the resting state following a motor task. Methods 18 healthy volunteers underwent two resting state and a stimulus driven measurement using a finger tapping motor task at 3 and 7 T, respectively. The SNR for each field strength was adjusted by targeted voxel size variation to minimize the effect of SNR on the field strength specific outcome. Spatial and temporal characteristics of resting state ICA, network graphs, and motor task related activated areas were compared. Finally, a graph theoretical approach was used to detect resting state modulation subsequent to a simple motor task. Results Spatial extensions of resting state ICA and motor task related activated areas were consistent between field strengths, but temporal characteristics varied, indicating that 7 T achieved a higher functional specificity of the BOLD response than 3 T-fMRI. Following the motor task, only 7 T-fMRI enabled the detection of highly specific connectivity modulations representing an “offline replay” of previous motor activation. Modulated connections of the motor cortex were directly linked to brain regions associated with memory consolidation. Conclusion These findings reveal how memory processing is initiated even after simple motor tasks, and that it begins earlier than previously shown. Thus, the superior capability of 7 T-fMRI to detect subtle functional dynamics promises to improve diagnostics and therapeutic assessment of neurological diseases.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1662-453X
DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2023.1215400
DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2023.1215400.s001
DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2023.1215400.s002
DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2023.1215400.s003
DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2023.1215400.s004
DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2023.1215400.s005
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
Frontiers Media SA
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2411902-7
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