Optogenetic fMRI Reveals Brain-wide Functional Organization of the Zona Incerta Pathways

Motivation: We do not yet know where zona incerta (ZI) neural activity is distributed in central pathways despite extensive knowledge of incertal projections and functions. Goal(s): We aim to reveal the long-range functional pathways of ZI neural activity to bridge the knowledge gap between known anatomical projections and implicated functions. Approach: We deployed optogenetic fMRI to directly initiate neural activity at ZI and computational approaches to characterize the downstream central pathways involved. Results: The propagation of neural activity from ZI are not restricted to monosynaptic projections within known subcortical structures, but along multi-synaptic, long-range central pathways. Impact: Characterization of ZI functional pathways is of tremendous value to neuroscientists and clinicians for future in-depth investigations of key/previously undefined incertal regions and for designing more effective therapeutic measures such as deep brain stimulation, where ZI is a key target.