New fMRI Acquisition Method
Researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine have developed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique designed to reduce noise and improve image quality in brain–behavior research.
The method, called SORDINO, was developed by Yen-Yu Ian Shih, Ph.D., professor of neurology and associate director of the UNC Biomedical Research Imaging Center (BRIC) and his research team. A paper describing the technique and its research benefits was published in Nature Neuroscience.
Conventional fMRI scans can produce peak sound levels of 120 to 138 decibels, according to the research team. Acoustic noise can cause stress and movement in research subjects and interfere with implanted devices and other electrical measurements of brain activity.
Testing in Mouse Models
SORDINO stands for Steady-state On-the-Ramp Detection of INduction-decay with Oversampling. It is an fMRI acquisition sequence that provides instructions for an MRI scanner to collect brain measurements, including blood flow and oxygen levels, and convert them into images.
Researchers compared SORDINO with conventional fMRI in mouse models. According to the study findings, the method:
- Substantially reduced acoustic noise
- Reduced electromagnetic interference
- Reduced stress-related hormones
- Produced images with less distortion
The researchers used SORDINO-powered fMRI to study complex behaviors, including voluntary skilled movements and social interactions between two mice scanned at the same time.
Potential Applications in Neuroscience
The research team initially used SORDINO to map brain activity in small-animal models. The method may also support further developments in neurological research and human MRI.
The work addresses technical challenges associated with fMRI research involving noise-sensitive subjects and simultaneous electrical measurements. The method is intended to facilitate studies of brain activity during behaviors such as sleep-wake transitions, social interactions, and sensorimotor activity.
