Continuous visual stimulation is associated with reduced visual cortex temperature

Motivation: It is unclear if magnetic resonance spectral response to neural activation offers insight into brain temperature variation. Goal(s): To measure visual cortex temperature during visual stimulation. Approach: During single and continuous stimulation, spectra were collected from the activated visual cortex region (n = 4). Frequency shifts of the N-acetyl aspartate, creatine and choline peaks from the water peak were calibrated to measure temperature using pre-determined regression equations for each peak. Spectral responses to neural activation were estimated as percentage changes in their height, width and area. Results: Continuous neural activation was associated with significant decrease in visual cortex temperature. Impact: Continuous neural activation of the visual cortex increases cerebral blood flow to the activated region, which helps dissipate heat from visual cortex tissues as observed in the consistent temperature reduction. The observed spectral changes indicate clear response to neural activation.