Peripheral somatosensory fMRI in mouse at 11.7 T

The feasibility of performing extremely-high resolution somatosensory fMRI in anesthetized mice using BOLD contrast at 11.7 T was investigated. A soma tosensory stimulus was applied to the hindlimb of an alpha -chlorolose anes thetized mouse resulting in robust (p < 4 x 10(-3)) BOLD changes in somatos ensory cortex and large veins. Percentage modulation of the MR signal in co rtex exceeded 7%. Experiments that artificially modulated the inspired oxyg en tension were also conducted; the results revealed large, heterogeneous, BOLD contrast changes in the mouse brain. In addition, T-1, T-2, and T-2* v alues in gray matter at 11.7 T were evaluated. Discussion of the sensitivit y limitations of BOLD fMRI in the tiny mouse central nervous system is pres ented. These methods show promise for the assessment of neurological functi on in mouse models of CNS injury and disease. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.