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Eccentricity mapping of the human visual cortex to evaluate temporal dynamics of functional T1ρ mapping
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Eccentricity mapping of the human visual cortex to evaluate temporal dynamics of functional T1ρ mapping

Hye-Young Heo, John A Wemmie, Casey P Johnson, Daniel R Thedens and Vincent A Magnotta
Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism, Vol.35(7), pp.1213-1219
07/2015
DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2015.94
PMCID: PMC4640285
PMID: 25966957
url
https://doi.org/10.1038/jcbfm.2015.94View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Recent experiments suggest that T1 relaxation in the rotating frame (T(1ρ)) is sensitive to metabolism and can detect localized activity-dependent changes in the human visual cortex. Current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods have poor temporal resolution due to delays in the hemodynamic response resulting from neurovascular coupling. Because T(1ρ) is sensitive to factors that can be derived from tissue metabolism, such as pH and glucose concentration via proton exchange, we hypothesized that activity-evoked T(1ρ) changes in visual cortex may occur before the hemodynamic response measured by blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) contrast. To test this hypothesis, functional imaging was performed using T(1ρ), BOLD, and ASL in human participants viewing an expanding ring stimulus. We calculated eccentricity phase maps across the occipital cortex for each functional signal and compared the temporal dynamics of T(1ρ) versus BOLD and ASL. The results suggest that T(1ρ) changes precede changes in the two blood flow-dependent measures. These observations indicate that T(1ρ) detects a signal distinct from traditional fMRI contrast methods. In addition, these findings support previous evidence that T(1ρ) is sensitive to factors other than blood flow, volume, or oxygenation. Furthermore, they suggest that tissue metabolism may be driving activity-evoked T(1ρ) changes.
Visual Cortex - blood supply Humans Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods Adult Female Male Cerebrovascular Circulation Brain Mapping - methods Photic Stimulation Oxygen - blood Visual Cortex - physiology

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