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Identifying how spatially distributed information becomes integrated in the brain is essential to understanding higher cognitive functions. Previous computational and empirical studies suggest a significant influence of brain network structure on brain network function. However, there have been few analytical approaches to explain the role of network structure in shaping regional activities and directionality patterns. In this study, analytical methods are applied to a coupled oscillator model implemented in inhomogeneous networks. We first derive a mathematical principle that explains the emergence of directionality from the underlying brain network structure. We then apply the analytical methods to the anatomical brain networks of human, macaque, and mouse, successfully predicting simulation and empirical electroencephalographic data. The results demonstrate that the global directionality patterns in resting state brain networks can be predicted solely by their unique network structures. This study forms a foundation for a more comprehensive understanding of how neural information is directed and integrated in complex brain networks.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a standard tool for monitoring brain states in humans. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying diverse EEG rhythms can be facilitated by using mouse models under molecular, pharmacological, or electrophysiological manipulations. The small size of the mouse brain, however, poses a severe limitation in the spatial information of EEG. To overcome this limitation, we devised a polyimide based microelectrode array (PBM array) with nanofabrication technologies. The microelectrode contains 32 electrodes, weighs 150 mg, and yields noise-insensitive signals when applied on the mouse skull. The high-density microelectrode allowed both global and focused mapping of high resolution EEG (HR-EEG) in the mouse brain. Mapping and dynamical analysis tools also have been developed to visualize the dynamical changes of spatially resolved mouse EEG. We demonstrated the validity and utility of mouse EEG in localization of the seizure onset in absence seizure model and phase dynamics of abnormal theta rhythm in transgenic mice. Dynamic tracking of the EEG map in genetically modified mice under freely moving conditions should allow study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the generation and dynamics of diverse EEG rhythms.

We applied near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) simultaneously on the mouse brain and investigated the hemodynamic response to epileptic episodes under pharmacologically driven seizure. gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) were applied to induce absence and tonic-clonic seizures, respectively. The epileptic episodes were identified from the single-channel EEG, and the corresponding hemodynamic changes in different regions of the brain were characterized by multichannel frequency-domain NIRS. Our results are the following: (i) the oxyhemoglobin level increases in the case of GBL-treated mice but not 4-AP-treated mice compared to the predrug state; (ii) the dominant response to each absence seizure is a decrease in deoxyhemolobin; (iii) the phase shift between oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin reduces in GBL-treated mice but no 4-AP-treated mice; and (iv) the spatial correlation of hemodynamics increased significantly in 4-AP-treated mice but not in GBL-treated mice. Our results shows that spatiotemporal tracking of cerebral hemodynamics using NIRS can be successfully applied to the mouse brain in conjunction with electrophysiological recording, which will support the study of molecular, cellular, and network origin of neurovascular coupling in vivo.

In consciousness or anesthesia studies, pinpointing the precise moment of consciousness or anesthetic transition has been challenging because of the variable lag time between a treatment and its induced response. Here, we describe a novel behavioral method, a forced walking test, which pinpoints the moment of the anesthetic-induced loss of motion (LOM) without handling the animals manually. The mouse is forced to walk on a treadmill, and an anesthetic drug is administered into the peritoneum via a previously secured injection route. The physical activity and the angle of head posture are tracked using a motion sensor preinstalled on the animal's head. The moments of LOM and recovery of motion (ROM) are identified from the physical activity parameters obtained by the sensor. Comparison of our method with the conventional loss-of-righting-reflex assay showed that the time point of LOM was not significantly different between the two methods when examined with two different types of anesthetic agents, propofol and ketamine/xylazine cocktail. In addition, the electrophysiological signals simultaneously acquired in the cortex and the thalamus of the mouse during the forced walking test showed that the brain rhythms induced by ketamine/xylazine anesthesia were generated and terminated in a time-locked manner with respect to LOM and ROM, respectively. In conclusion, the forced walking test allows an objective and precise detection of anesthetic-induced LOM, as well as ROM during awakening from anesthesia, in test animals., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Combining of two measurement system of different scale in the mouse brain has been challenging issue due to the small size of the mouse brain. We present a novel approach to record brain activity and connectivity simultaneously by using intracranial electrode and flexible multichannel film electrode. 40 channel ultra-thin nanofabricated microelectrode covering the mouse skull was applied in this study. The null space in the microarray was cut off so that the secondary sensor or stimulator can approach to the brain. Hereby, we performed a simultaneous recording of local field potential and multichannel EEG recording in a freely moving mouse under pharmacologically driven absence seizure. A brain activity in the thalamus was depicted together with cortical EEG map. The connectivity levels between different cortical sites or between thalamus and cortical site were measured during seizure. The time lag map of cortical EEG with respect to the thalamus represents the propagation delay of the seizure.

The aim of this study was to compare functional cerebral hemodynamic signals obtained simultaneously by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The contribution of superficial layers (skin and skull) to the NIRS signal was also assessed. Both methods were used to generate functional maps of the motor cortex area during a periodic sequence of stimulation by finger motion and rest. In all subjects we found a good collocation of the brain activity centers revealed by both methods. We also found a high temporal correlation between the BOLD signal (fMRI) and the deoxy-hemoglobin concentration (NIRS) in the subjects who exhibited low fluctuations in superficial head tissues.