Unique spatiotemporal fMRI dynamics in the awake mouse brain

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.12.015
• Publication Date: 2022-01-07T15:42:45Z
• Authors: Daniel Gutierrez-...; Neha Atulkumar Singh; Filomena Grazia A...; Ludovico Coletta; Federico Rocchi; Elizabeth De Guzman; Alberto Galbusera; Mauro Uboldi; Stefano Panzeri; Alessandro Gozzi
• Keywords: Forebrain; Coactivation; Nerve net; Brain mapping

Human imaging studies have shown that spontaneous brain activity exhibits stereotypic spatiotemporal reorganization in awake, conscious conditions with respect to minimally states. However, whether and how this phenomenon can be generalized lower mammalian species remains unclear. Leveraging a robust protocol for resting-state fMRI (rsfMRI) mapping non-anesthetized, head-fixed mice, we investigated functional network topography dynamic structure of wakeful animals. We found rsfMRI networks the awake state, while anatomically comparable those observed under anesthesia, are topologically configured maximize interregional communication, departing from underlying community mouse axonal connectome. further report animals unique dynamics characterized by state-dependent, dominant occurrence coactivation patterns encompassing prominent participation arousal-related forebrain nuclei anti-coordination between visual-auditory polymodal cortical areas. finally show mice stereotypical temporal structure, which state-dominant as attractors. These findings suggest is critically shaped state-specific involvement basal arousal systems document its recapitulates distinctive, evolutionarily relevant principles predictive states higher species.