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Abstract #4339

A Novel fMRI-Compatible Device to Quantify the Cortical Response to Walking-Related Foot Sole Pressures

Ying Hao1, 2, Kai Zhang1, Ye Wang1, Xiaoying Wang, 13, Jing Fang1, 4, Jue Zhang1, 4, Brad Manor1, 2

1Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China; 2Gerontology Department, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; 3Radiology Department, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China; 4College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China


This novel foot sole stimulator elicited more simulated walking pressure stimulus to the foot sole compared to the former version, meanwhile, it remains no interfered with image quality and did not cause severe motion artifacts. This system is thus feasible for fMRI studies to explore functional brain networks involved in the perception and modulation of the real foot sole somatosensation. Combination of this new tool with functional MRI (fMRI) will afford insight into the functional brain networks underlying the afferent feedback under walking.