Concurrent SORDINO fMRI and Calcium Imaging at Cellular Resolution Reveal Prefrontal Cortex Integration with Brain Networks

Motivation: To investigate how regional neuronal activity from distinct cellular clusters are associated with fMRI-derived large-scale brain networks. Goal(s): To develop a multimodal imaging platform for awake mice, bridging knowledge across measurement scales and modalities. Approach: Using MR-compatible calcium imaging at cellular resolution to simultaneously measure fMRI network dynamics and cellular activity in awake mice. Results: This platform reveals multiple network correlates with distinct cellular clusters within the mouse medial prefrontal cortex, suggesting spatial integration of these functionally segregated neurons in an evolutionarily conserved species. Impact: We introduce a radically new approach combining brain-wide fMRI and cellular-level calcium imaging, enabling researchers to tackle brain network questions previously beyond reach.