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Abstract #3650

Spin-Echo BOLD Temporal Dynamics in the Rat Superior Colliculus & Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Condon Lau1,2, Jevin W. Zhang1,2, Matthew M. Cheung1,2, Iris Y. Zhou1,2, Kevin C. Chan1,2, Ed X. Wu1,2

1Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging & Signal Processing, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, People's Republic of; 2Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China, People's Republic of


In rats, the superior colliculus (SC) and lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) are the main destinations for retinal ganglion cells and are important subcortical structures for vision. BOLD fMRI is used to measure the SC and LGNs hemodynamic responses, in Sprague-Dawley rats, following short duration (1s) visual stimulation. The most significant responses are concentrated in the contralateral LGN and superficial, medial half of the SC. The SCs response reaches 25% of maximum amplitude 0.20.2s faster than the LGN. However, the LGNs response diminishes more rapidly. These temporal differences are likely due to vessel dilation rate heterogeneities.

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