Dr. Craig F. Ferris Research Coordination Network: Northeastern University

Dr. Craig F. Ferris
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Imaging Aggressive Motivation in Rats
Craig Ferris, Ph.D. Director
Center for Translational NeuroImaging
Depts of Psychology & Pharmaceutical Science
Northeastern University
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Can We Image Aggression?
No … but we can image aggressive
motivation.
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Piloerection in the Imaging Environment
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Functional MRI in Awake Animals
Set-up -animals are lightly anesthetized with 3% isoflurane, placed in the
holder, allowed to awaken and moved to scanner.
7.0T MR Scanner
Computer Console
Set-up takes ca 10 min to start
Research Coordination Network:
of image acquisition.
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Custom Radiofrequency Technology
head coil
Quad transmit/receive
volume coil built into
the head holder
restrainer
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Optimal signal-to-noise
and field homogeneity
Spatial and Temporal Resolution
sagittal view
Twenty-two 1 mm thick slices of the brain are acquired in 6
sec with a HASTE pulse sequence (Half Fourier
Acquisition Single Shot Turbo Spin Echo)
Field of View: 3.0 cm
Data Matrix: 96 x 96
axial view
A measure of signal
intensity is collected in
each of ca. 15,000 voxels
every six seconds.
voxel size
312 µm2 X 1000 µm
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Three Dimensional Segmented Atlases
Atlas
3D Visualization
GUI
Activation Maps
Registration
“Group Statistics”
Segmentation
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Quantifying MRI Signal – Volume of Activation & Percent
Change
Rat atlas has
174 brain
regions
Marmoset
atlas has 234
brain regions
Mouse atlas
has 140 brain
regions
Vole atlas
has 140 brain
regions
Time Course Plots Showing BOLD
Signal
Change Between Groups
Hippocampus
% Change in BOLD Signal
12
10
14
68 µg/kg cort
17 µg/kg cort
vehicle
8
6
4
2
0
-2
60
0
60 120 180 240 300
Time (sec)
% Change in BOLD Signal
Bar Graphs Showing Volume of Activation Between Groups
68 µg/kg
17 µg/kg
vehicle
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
60
0
Blocking Offensive Aggression with Drugs
Vasopressin V1A Antagonist vs Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
Vasopressin Released
in the Brain Increases
Aggression
Serotonin Released in
the Brain Decreases
Aggression
So….
Drugs that stop
vasopressin’s action in
the brain will decrease
aggression
SRX251
Drugs that increase
serotonin’s action in
the brain will decrease
aggression
Prozac
Ferris et al., BMC Neuroscience 13, 9:111, 2008
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Stimulus Conditions
1.Mate Alone
2.Mate plus Intruder
3.SRX251 with Mate/Intruder
4.SRX251 with Novel Receptive Female
5.Fluoxetine with Mate/Intruder
6.Fluoxetine with Novel Receptive Female
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
2D Axial Images with Aggressive Motivation
and Drug Treatment
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Activation of Olfactory and Reward Systems
during Aggressive Motivation
Ferris et al., BMC Neursocience 2008
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Activation of Olfactory and Reward
Systems during Sexual Motivation
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
The putative
neural circuit
of
aggressive
motivation
screened
from over
171 brain
areas
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Imaging Integrated Neural Circuits
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University
Functional Changes in The Anterior Thalamic Nuclei
with Aggressive Motivation
V1A receptor binding
BOLD activation
Aggressive Motivation
Seizure Genesis
Brevard et al, Epilepsia 47:740, 2006
Following Dr. Ferris’ talk, there was a question and answer session:
1.
Is it possible to connect a brain state to a putative emotion?
2.
The vast data sets that Craig’s lab allows us to assemble:
Especially in dealing with BOLD signal changes across the entire
brain---parsing the data in time and space ---- can we at least
connect the mind and body with chemical signaling?
3.
Ultimately, Dr. Fferris believes we may have to direct attention to
more theoretical, even philosophical issues.
Research Coordination Network:
Imaging of Social and Affective Disorders
Northeastern University