Measurement of awake rats CSF pulsation using EPI-based resting-state fMRI data

Motivation: This research aims to explore the relationship between CSF dynamics and BOLD signals using EPI-based resting-state fMRI data from an open database of rat models. Goal(s): Rodents and humans are compared regarding CSF dynamics and the BOLD signal. Approach: The study computes temporal correlations between CSF pulse, CSF edge, and the BOLD signal. Results: While in resting state, both CSFpulse and CSFedge indices were correlated with global BOLD, exhibiting a stronger correlation for CSFedge and varying peak correlations at -1s, -10s, and +11s. The temporal correlation between CSF dynamics and global BOLD indicates differences in CSF physiology in humans compared to smaller animals. Impact: The study results imply differing correlation coefficients between CSF dynamics and the BOLD signal, suggesting promising pathways for deeper investigations into brain CSF dynamics in small animal models and neuroscientific advancements using EPI-based fMRI database.