How do we study and map brain activity?

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Introduction

Studying and mapping brain activity is crucial for understanding how neural information is processed in both healthy and diseased states. Various techniques have been developed to visualize and analyze brain activity, each with its own strengths and limitations. These methods range from imaging techniques to computational tools, and they are used to map brain activity at different scales and resolutions.

Key Insights

Immediate Early Gene Expression and Light-Sheet Fluorescence Imaging:
- Automated volume analysis of immediate early genes using immunostaining and light-sheet fluorescence imaging allows for high-speed acquisition of brain activity at cellular resolution. This method is validated for different experimental paradigms, including sensory processing and parenting behavior in mammals.
Transgenic Immediate-Early Gene Reporter Mice and Two-Photon Tomography:
- Combining transgenic immediate-early gene reporter mice with serial two-photon tomography enables cellular-level, whole-brain maps of behaviorally induced neural activity. This method is effective for identifying brain networks involved in behaviors such as fear memory retrieval.
Microfluidic Array System for Zebrafish:
- The "Fish-Trap" microfluidic array system allows high-throughput, gel-free, and anesthetic-free processing of larval zebrafish for brain-wide activity mapping. This system can couple pharmaceutical stimuli with real-time neural activity recording, providing insights into drug-induced functional perturbations.
Cluster Computing and Large-Scale Neural Data Analysis:
- The Thunder library, built on Apache Spark, facilitates large-scale distributed computing for analyzing complex neural data. This tool is used for whole-brain light-sheet imaging data and two-photon imaging data, enabling rapid analysis and interactive exploration.
Functional Brain Mapping with High-Resolution Neuroimaging and Electrophysiological Recording:
- High-resolution neuroimaging and multielectrode electrophysiological recording generate vast amounts of multivariate data. Techniques like the "searchlight" method analyze these data multivariately to identify brain regions containing information about experimental conditions.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET):
- Combining TMS with PET allows for mapping neural connections in the human brain by stimulating cortical areas and measuring changes in cerebral blood flow. This method assesses functional connectivity without requiring specific behaviors from subjects.
Functional MRI (fMRI) for Measuring Relative Timings of Brain Activities:
- High-resolution fMRI at ultrahigh field (7 T) can detect fine differences in the timings of brain activities, down to 28 milliseconds. Techniques like self-organizing maps and Granger causality improve the detection of small timing differences despite the slow hemodynamic response.
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Electroencephalography (EEG):
- MEG and EEG provide noninvasive measurements of neural electrical activity with temporal resolutions below 100 milliseconds. These techniques are used for source localization and timing of neural processes, employing various signal processing methods.
Combining fMRI with MEG/EEG for Spatiotemporal Imaging:
- Integrating the high spatial resolution of fMRI with the high temporal resolution of MEG/EEG through linear estimation methods improves the accuracy of brain activity mapping. This approach addresses the inverse problem in source localization and provides detailed spatiotemporal maps of brain function.

Conclusion

The study and mapping of brain activity involve a variety of techniques, each contributing unique insights into neural processes. Methods like immediate early gene expression profiling, transgenic reporter mice, and microfluidic systems enable detailed cellular-level mapping. Advanced computational tools and high-resolution imaging techniques, such as fMRI, MEG, and EEG, provide comprehensive spatiotemporal maps of brain activity. Combining these methods enhances our understanding of brain function and connectivity, offering valuable tools for both fundamental research and clinical applications.