Virtual reality-based real-time imaging reveals abnormal cortical dynamics during behavioral transitions in a mouse model of autism
Nobuhiro Nakai, Masaaki Sato, Okito Yamashita, Y. Sekine, Xiaochen Fu, Junichi Nakai, Andrew Zalesky, Toru Takumi
Abstract
imaging with a virtual reality (VR) environment. We find rapid reorganization of cortical FC in response to changing behavioral states. By using machine learning classification, behavioral states are accurately decoded. We then use our VR-based imaging system to study cortical FC in a mouse model of autism and find that locomotion states are associated with altered FC dynamics. Furthermore, we identify FC patterns involving the motor area as the most distinguishing features of the autism mice from wild-type mice during behavioral transitions, which might correlate with motor clumsiness in individuals with autism. Our VR-based real-time imaging system provides crucial information to understand FC dynamics linked to behavioral abnormality of neuropsychiatric disorders.