Dataset for: A window to the brain: ultrasound imaging of human neural activity through an acoustically transparent cranial prosthetic

Description

This dataset accompanies "A window to the brain: ultrasound imaging of human neural activity through an acoustically transparent cranial prosthetic". It includes the human, rodent, and in vitro data.

Abstract of "A window to the brain: ultrasound imaging of human neural activity through an acoustically transparent cranial prosthetic"

Recording human brain activity is crucial for understanding normal and aberrant brain function. However, available recording methods are either highly invasive or have relatively low sensitivity. Functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI) is an emerging technique that offers sensitive, large-scale, high-resolution neural imaging. However, fUSI cannot be performed through adult human skull. In this study, we show for the first time that functional ultrasound imaging of brain activity in adult humans can be recorded outside of the operating room. We use a polymeric skull replacement material to create an acoustic window allowing ultrasound to monitor brain activity in adult humans. We test implant designs and validate the performance of the window through experiments in phantoms and rodents, then implement it in a participant undergoing reconstructive skull surgery. Subsequently, we demonstrate mapping and decoding of cortical responses to finger movement, marking the first instance of high-resolution (200μm) and large-scale (50mm x 38mm) brain imaging through an acoustically transparent PMMA cranial prosthetic.

Files

Additional details