Concurrent optoacoustic tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of resting-state functional connectivity in the mouse brain

Motivation: Interpreting BOLD signals in fMRI studies is a challenging task due to their dependence on multiple factors. Goal(s): Multiparametric readouts from a recently developed hybrid magnetic resonance optoacoustic tomography system can offer unprecedented capabilities for studying the rodent brain in resting-state conditions. Approach: Simultaneously acquired multimodal functional data of mice were utilized to link hemoglobin resolved optoacoustic readouts to BOLD. Results: Multiparametric brain-wide activity were detected under resting-state condition for the first time. Revealed functional connectivity maps and brain networks showed high spatial overlap among the hemodynamic components. BOLD and total hemoglobin functional connectivity were found tightly correlated, compared to oxygenated- and deoxygenated-hemoglobin. Impact: Hybridization of optoacoustic tomography and MRI is a powerful multi-modal approach due to highly complementary contrasts and capabilities for functional neuroimaging. The more comprehensive functional readings provide unique capabilities for studying neurovascular and neurometabolic coupling mechanisms and related diseases.