Mapping Thalamocortical Networks in the Awake Rat Brain Using Resting-State Functional Connectivity

Zhifeng Liang¹, Nanyin Zhang¹

In the present study we have employed an awake animal imaging approach to systematically map thalamocortical connectivity for multiple thalamic nucleus groups in rats. The findings have provided important evidence supporting the validity of rsfMRI measurement in awake animals. More importantly, they have made it possible to non-invasively investigate the function, neuroplasticity and mutual interactions of thalamic nuclei and thalamo-cortical networks in animals.