Detecting high temporal laminar-specific responses with line-scanning fMRI in awake mice

The 2D line-scanning fMRI has been used to map laminar BOLD onset and single-vessel vasodynamic changes. Lately, this method has been applied to map ultra-fast T2*-weighted MRI signal changes, directly coupled to the multi-unit activity in anesthetized mice with 5ms TR. Here, we have adjusted the 1D line-scanning fMRI method to test it for awake mice. The current setup enables the detection of evoked BOLD fMRI signals in the visual cortex following 4s (3 Hz, 20ms) light exposure. It provides the proof-of-concept to further examine the ultra-fast MRI signals directly linked to neuronal activity.