Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has shown the hierarchical organization of the human brain into large-scale complex networks, referred as resting state networks. This technique has turned into a promising translational research tool after the finding of similar resting state networks in non-human primates, rodents and other animal models of great value for neuroscience. Here, we demonstrate and characterize the presence of resting states networks in Microtus ochrogaster, the prairie vole, an extraordinary animal model to study complex human-like social behavior, with potential implications for the research of normal social development, addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders. Independent component analysis of rsfMRI data from isoflurane-anestethized prairie voles resulted in cortical and subcortical networks, including primary motor and sensory networks, but also included putative salience and default mode networks. We further discuss how future research could help to close the gap between the properties of the large scale functional organization and the underlying neurobiology of several aspects of social cognition. These results contribute to the evidence of preserved resting state brain networks across species and provide the foundations to explore the use of rsfMRI in the prairie vole for basic and translational research.

中文翻译：

---

草原田鼠的静止状态脑网络。

静止状态功能磁共振成像（rsfMRI）显示了人脑的分层组织为大型复杂网络，称为静止状态网络。在非人类的灵长类动物，啮齿动物和其他对神经科学具有重要价值的动物模型中发现类似的静止状态网络后，该技术已成为一种有前途的翻译研究工具。在这里，我们展示并表征了田鼠田鼠（Microtus ochrogaster）中的静止状态网络，该田鼠是研究复杂的类人社会行为的非凡动物模型，对正常社会发展，成瘾和神经精神疾病的研究具有潜在意义。来自异氟烷麻醉的草原田鼠的rsfMRI数据的独立成分分析产生了皮质和皮质下网络，包括主要的运动和感觉网络，还包括推定的显着性和默认模式网络。我们将进一步讨论未来的研究如何帮助缩小大型功能组织的属性与社会认知各个方面的潜在神经生物学之间的差距。这些结果为跨物种保存的静止状态脑网络提供了证据，并为探索rsfMRI在大草原田鼠中用于基础和转化研究的基础奠定了基础。