Development of a noninvasive olfactory stimulation fMRI system in marmosets.
Development of a noninvasive olfactory stimulation fMRI system in marmosets.
Where did the research take place?
The study site has not been established. Author addresses may differ from where the research occurred.
JP · Author affiliation · country only
Department of Marmoset Biology and Medicine, Central Institute for Experimental Medicine and Life Science, Kawasaki, Japan.Location evidence
Komatsu, JP · Author affiliation
Department of Clinical Engineering, Komatsu University, Komatsu, Japan.Location evidence
Asahikawa, JP · Author affiliation
Advanced Medical Engineering Research Center, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.Location evidence
Okayama, JP · Author affiliation
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Japan.Location evidence
Imabari, JP · Author affiliation
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Japan.Location evidence
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Original abstract
Olfactory dysfunction is associated with aging and the earliest stages of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases; it is thought to be an early biomarker of cognitive decline. In marmosets, a small non-human primate model used in brain research, olfactory pathway activity during olfactory stimulation has not been well studied because of the difficulty in clearly switching olfactory stimuli inside a narrow MRI. Here, we developed an olfactory-stimulated fMRI system using a small-aperture MRI machine. The olfactory presentation system consisted of two tubes, one for supply and one for suction of olfactory stimulants and a balloon valve. A balloon valve installed in the air supply tube controlled the presentation of the olfactory stimulant, which enabled sharp olfactory stimulation within MRI, such as 30 s of stimulation repeated five times at five-minute intervals. The olfactory stimulation system was validated in vivo and in a simulated system. fMRI analysis showed a rapid increase in signal values within 30 s of olfactory stimulation in eight regions related to the sense of smell. As these regions include those associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, olfactory stimulation fMRI may be useful in clarifying the relationship between olfactory dysfunction and dementia in non-human primates.