Connectivity of the Primate Superior Colliculus Mapped by Concurrent Microstimulation and Event-Related fMRI

Authors

Courtney B. Field, The University of Western Ontario
Kevin Johnston, The University of Western Ontario
Joseph S. Gati, The University of Western Ontario
Ravi S. Menon, The University of Western Ontario
Stefan Everling, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-11-2008

Journal

PLoS ONE

Volume

3

Issue

12

First Page

e3928

Last Page

e3928

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003928

Abstract

Background: Neuroanatomical studies investigating the connectivity of brain areas have heretofore employed procedures in which chemical or viral tracers are injected into an area of interest, and connected areas are subsequently identified using histological techniques. Such experiments require the sacrifice of the animals and do not allow for subsequent electrophysiological studies in the same subjects, rendering a direct investigation of the functional properties of anatomically identified areas impossible. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, we used a combination of microstimulation and fMRI in an anesthetized monkey preparation to study the connectivity of the superior colliculus (SC). Microstimulation of the SC resulted in changes in the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals in the SC and in several cortical and subcortical areas consistent with the known connectivity of the SC in primates. Conclusions/Significance: These findings demonstrates that the concurrent use of microstimulation and fMRI can be used to identify brain networks for further electrophysiological or fMRI investigation.