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Abstract #4134

Optogenetic fMRI Reveals Brain-wide Functional Organization of the Zona Incerta Pathways

Junjian Wen1,2, Xuehong Lin1,2, Xunda Wang1,2, Teng Ma1,2,3, Linshan Xie1,2, Peng Cao3, Ed X Wu1,2,4, and Alex T L Leong1,2
1Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 2Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 3Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, 4School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Synopsis

Keywords: Biology, Models, Methods, Neuroscience, fMRI Analysis, brain connectivity, preclinical

Motivation: We do not yet know where zona incerta (ZI) neural activity is distributed in central pathways despite extensive knowledge of incertal projections and functions.

Goal(s): We aim to reveal the long-range functional pathways of ZI neural activity to bridge the knowledge gap between known anatomical projections and implicated functions.

Approach: We deployed optogenetic fMRI to directly initiate neural activity at ZI and computational approaches to characterize the downstream central pathways involved.

Results: The propagation of neural activity from ZI are not restricted to monosynaptic projections within known subcortical structures, but along multi-synaptic, long-range central pathways.

Impact: Characterization of ZI functional pathways is of tremendous value to neuroscientists and clinicians for future in-depth investigations of key/previously undefined incertal regions and for designing more effective therapeutic measures such as deep brain stimulation, where ZI is a key target.

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