title: A fiber optic-based system for behavioral eyeblink measurement in a MRI environment.
abstract: We previously described a reliable system to control the timing of multiple stimuli and to detect behavioral eyeblink responses in fMRI studies of learning in animals. Here, we report a significant advancement of the original system, which incorporates a fiber-optic probe in order to avoid the interference associated with the application of pulsed field gradients during MR imaging, particularly echo planar imaging. Eyeblink responses recorded with our fiber-optic probe and modified detection circuit demonstrate the ability of our new system to acquire behavioral data free of gradient-induced artifacts, thereby eliminating the need for low-pass filtering. This fiber optic-based system should be applicable to both animal and human imaging experiments.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Limin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Disterhoft
authors.forename: Alice M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wyrwicz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D001525:Behavioral Sciences / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003215:Conditioning, Eyelid / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009482:Neurophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011817:Rabbits; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology