Dataset Information

Computer-controlled stimulation for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of the neonatal olfactory system.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Olfactory sensation is highly functional early in human neonatal life, with studies suggesting that odours can influence behaviour and infant-mother bonding. Due to its good spatial properties, blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) contrast functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has the potential to rapidly advance our understanding of the neural activity which underlies the development of olfactory perception in this key period. We aimed to design an 'olfactometer' specifically for use with neonatal subjects for fMRI studies of odour perception.

Methods

We describe a fully automated and programmable, fMRI compatible system capable of presenting odorant liquids. To prevent contamination of the system and minimize between-subject infective risk, the majority of the olfactometer is constructed from single-use, readily available clinical equipment. The system was used to present the odour of infant formula milk in a validation group of seven neonatal subjects at term equivalent postmenstrual age (median age 40 weeks).

Results

A safe, reliable and reproducible pattern of stimulation was delivered leading to well-localized positive BOLD functional responses in the piriform cortex, amygdala, thalamus, insular cortex and cerebellum.

Conclusions

The described system is therefore suitable for detailed studies of the ontology of olfactory sensation and perception during early human brain development.

SUBMITTER: Arichi T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3795441 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Computer-controlled stimulation for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of the neonatal olfactory system.

Arichi T T Gordon-Williams R R Allievi A A Groves A M AM Burdet E E Edwards A D AD

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) 20130901 9

<h4>Aim</h4>Olfactory sensation is highly functional early in human neonatal life, with studies suggesting that odours can influence behaviour and infant-mother bonding. Due to its good spatial properties, blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) contrast functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has the potential to rapidly advance our understanding of the neural activity which underlies the development of olfactory perception in this key period. We aimed to design an 'olfactometer' specifically ...[more]

PMID: 23789919

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Project description:IntroductionComplete reporting assists readers in confirming the methodological rigor and validity of findings and allows replication. The reporting quality of observational functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies involving clinical participants is unclear.ObjectivesWe sought to determine the quality of reporting in observational fMRI studies involving clinical participants.MethodsWe searched OVID MEDLINE for fMRI studies in six leading journals between January 2010 and December 2011.Three independent reviewers abstracted data from articles using an 83-item checklist adapted from the guidelines proposed by Poldrack et al. (Neuroimage 2008; 40: 409-14). We calculated the percentage of articles reporting each item of the checklist and the percentage of reported items per article.ResultsA random sample of 100 eligible articles was included in the study. Thirty-one items were reported by fewer than 50% of the articles and 13 items were reported by fewer than 20% of the articles. The median percentage of reported items per article was 51% (ranging from 30% to 78%). Although most articles reported statistical methods for within-subject modeling (92%) and for between-subject group modeling (97%), none of the articles reported observed effect sizes for any negative finding (0%). Few articles reported justifications for fixed-effect inferences used for group modeling (3%) and temporal autocorrelations used to account for within-subject variances and correlations (18%). Other under-reported areas included whether and how the task design was optimized for efficiency (22%) and distributions of inter-trial intervals (23%).ConclusionsThis study indicates that substantial improvement in the reporting of observational clinical fMRI studies is required. Poldrack et al.'s guidelines provide a means of improving overall reporting quality. Nonetheless, these guidelines are lengthy and may be at odds with strict word limits for publication; creation of a shortened-version of Poldrack's checklist that contains the most relevant items may be useful in this regard.

Dataset Information

Computer-controlled stimulation for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of the neonatal olfactory system.

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Computer-controlled stimulation for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of the neonatal olfactory system.

Similar Datasets

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