Novel inductively coupled ear-bars (ICEs) to enhance restored fMRI signal from susceptibility compensation in rats.

ABSTRACT: Functional magnetic resonance imaging faces inherent challenges when applied to deep-brain areas in rodents, e.g. entorhinal cortex, due to the signal loss near the ear cavities induced by susceptibility artifacts and reduced sensitivity induced by the long distance from the surface array coil. Given the pivotal roles of deep brain regions in various diseases, optimized imaging techniques are needed. To mitigate susceptibility-induced signal losses, we introduced baby cream into the middle ear. To enhance the detection sensitivity of deep brain regions, we implemented inductively coupled ear-bars, resulting in approximately a 2-fold increase in sensitivity in entorhinal cortex. Notably, the inductively coupled ear-bar can be seamlessly integrated as an add-on device, without necessitating

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10793587 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature