Broadband local field potentials correlate with spontaneous fluctuations in functional magnetic resonance imaging signals in the rat somatosensory cortex under isoflurane anesthesia

Brain Connect. 2011;1(2):119-31. doi: 10.1089/brain.2011.0014.

Abstract

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is widely used for exploring spontaneous brain activity and large-scale networks; however, the neural processes underlying the observed resting-state fMRI signals are not fully understood. To investigate the neural correlates of spontaneous low-frequency fMRI fluctuations and functional connectivity, we developed a rat model of simultaneous fMRI and multiple-site intracortical neural recordings. This allowed a direct comparison to be made between the spontaneous signals and interhemispheric connectivity measured with the two modalities. Results show that low-frequency blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) fluctuations (<0.1 Hz) correlate significantly with slow power modulations (<0.1 Hz) of local field potentials (LFPs) in a broad frequency range (1-100 Hz) under isoflurane anesthesia (1%-1.8%). Peak correlation occurred between neural and hemodynamic activity when the BOLD signal was delayed by ~4 sec relative to the LFP signal. The spatial location and extent of correlation was highly reproducible across studies, with the maximum correlation localized to a small area surrounding the site of microelectrode recording and to the homologous area in the contralateral hemisphere for most rats. Interhemispheric connectivity was calculated using BOLD correlation and band-limited LFP (1-4, 4-8, 8-14, 14-25, 25-40, and 40-100 Hz) coherence. Significant coherence was observed for the slow power changes of all LFP frequency bands as well as in the low-frequency BOLD data. A preliminary investigation of the effect of anesthesia on interhemispheric connectivity indicates that coherence in the high-frequency LFP bands declines with increasing doses of isoflurane, whereas coherence in the low-frequency LFP bands and the BOLD signal increases. These findings suggest that resting-state fMRI signals might be a reflection of broadband LFP power modulation, at least in isoflurane-anesthetized rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Anesthesia, Inhalation / methods*
  • Animals
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Isoflurane / pharmacology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Somatosensory Cortex / drug effects*
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiology*

Substances

  • Isoflurane