Detecting fMRI Activation in White Matter
Author Information
Author(s): Mazerolle Erin L, D'Arcy Ryan C N, Beyea Steven D
Primary Institution: Institute for Biodiagnostics (Atlantic), National Research Council, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Hypothesis
White matter activation could be detected using fMRI.
Conclusion
The findings support the idea that fMRI activation can be detected in the corpus callosum at the individual level.
Supporting Evidence
- Activation was detected in the isthmus of the corpus callosum at liberal statistical thresholds.
- Five of the 24 subjects (21%) had activation clusters primarily within the corpus callosum.
- The signal time courses for these clusters were comparable to those observed for task-related gray matter activation.
Takeaway
Scientists found that they can see brain activity in the white matter part of the brain using special imaging techniques, which is usually thought to only happen in the gray matter.
Methodology
The study used 4 T fMRI to evaluate white matter activation during interhemispheric transfer tasks.
Limitations
The findings may not generalize to all white matter structures and were limited by the field strength and sample size.
Participant Demographics
24 participants (13 females and 11 males) with a mean age of 24.0 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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