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Bicuculline‐induced brain activation in mice detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging
Author(s) -
Mueggler Thomas,
Baumann Diana,
Rausch Martin,
Rudin Markus
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.1190
Subject(s) - bicuculline , stimulation , putamen , somatosensory system , neuroscience , medicine , chemistry , anesthesia , gabaa receptor , psychology , receptor
Abstract Dynamic measurements of local changes in relative cerebral blood volume (CBV rel ) during a pharmacological stimulation paradigm were performed in mice. Using magnetite nanoparticles as an intravascular contrast agent, high‐resolution CBV rel maps were obtained. Intravenous administration of the GABA A antagonist bicuculline prompted increases in local CBV rel as assessed by MRI with a high spatial resolution of 0.2 × 0.2 mm 2 and a temporal resolution of 21 s. Signal changes occurred 20–30 s after the onset of drug infusion in the somatosensory and motor cortex, followed by other cortical and subcortical structures. The magnitudes of the CBV rel increases were 18% ± 4%, 46% ± 14%, and 67% ± 7%, as compared to prestimulation values for the cortex, and 9% ± 3%, 25% ± 4%, and 36% ± 7% for the caudate putamen for bicuculline doses of 0.6, 1.25, and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively. On‐line monitoring of transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension PtcCO 2 reflecting arterial PaCO 2 did not show any alteration during the stimulation paradigm. One of five of the mice receiving the highest bicuculline dose, and three of seven receiving the intermediate dose displayed a different cortical response pattern. After a CBV rel increase of 40% lasting for approximately 1 min, significant CBV rel reductions by 80% have been observed. Subcortical structures did not display this behavior. The present study suggests that this noninvasive approach of functional MRI (fMRI) can be applied to study drug‐induced brain activation by central nervous system (CNS) drugs in mice under normal and pathological situations. Magn Reson Med 46:292–298, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.