Direct comparison of visual cortex activation in human and non-human primates using functional magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

We report a technique for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in an awake, co-operative, rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) in a conventional 1.5T clinical MR scanner, thus accomplishing the first direct comparison of activation in visual cortex between humans and non-human primates with fMRI. Activation was seen in multiple areas of striate and extra-striate visual cortex and in areas for motion, object and face recognition in the monkey and in homologous visual areas in a human volunteer. This article describes T₁, T₂ and T₂* values for macaque cortex, suitable MR imaging sequences, a training schedule, stimulus delivery apparatus and restraining hardware for monkey fMRI using a conventional 19 cm knee coil. Much of our understanding of the functional organization of the primate brain comes from physiological studies in monkeys. Direct comparison between species using fMRI such as those described here will help us to relate the wealth of existing knowledge on the functional organization of the non-human primate brain to human fMRI.