An open-source MRI compatible frame for multimodal presurgical mapping in macaque and capuchin monkeys

Lucy Liang; Isabela Zimmermann Rollin; Aydin Alikaya; Jonathan C Ho; Tales Santini; Andreea C Bostan; Helen N Schwerdt; William R Stauffer; Tamer S Ibrahim; Elvira Pirondini; David J Schaeffer

doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110133

An open-source MRI compatible frame for multimodal presurgical mapping in macaque and capuchin monkeys

J Neurosci Methods. 2024 Apr 6:407:110133. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110133. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
² Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
³ Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
⁴ Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
⁵ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
⁶ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
⁷ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh, Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh, Radiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
⁸ Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
⁹ Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA. Electronic address: dschaeff@pitt.edu.

PMID: 38588922
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110133

Abstract

Background: High-precision neurosurgical targeting in nonhuman primates (NHPs) often requires presurgical anatomical mapping with noninvasive neuroimaging techniques (MRI, CT, PET), allowing for translation of individual anatomical coordinates to surgical stereotaxic apparatus. Given the varied tissue contrasts that these imaging techniques produce, precise alignment of imaging-based coordinates to surgical apparatus can be cumbersome. MRI-compatible stereotaxis with radiopaque fiducial markers offer a straight-forward and reliable solution, but existing commercial options do not fit in conformal head coils that maximize imaging quality.

New method: We developed a compact MRI-compatible stereotaxis suitable for a variety of NHP species (Macaca mulatta, Macaca fascicularis, and Cebus apella) that allows multimodal alignment through technique-specific fiducial markers.

Comparison with existing methods: With the express purpose of compatibility with clinically available MRI, CT, and PET systems, the frame is no larger than a human head, while allowing for imaging NHPs in the supinated position. This design requires no marker implantation, special software, or additional knowledge other than the operation of a common large animal stereotaxis.

Results: We demonstrated the applicability of this 3D-printable apparatus across a diverse set of experiments requiring presurgical planning: 1) We demonstrate the accuracy of the fiducial system through a within-MRI cannula insertion and subcortical injection of a viral vector. 2) We also demonstrated accuracy of multimodal (MRI and CT) alignment and coordinate transfer to guide a surgical robot electrode implantation for deep-brain electrophysiology.

Conclusions: The computer-aided design files and engineering drawings are publicly available, with the modular design allowing for low cost and manageable manufacturing.

Keywords: Brain; Capuchin; Computerized tomography; Macaque; Magnetic resonance imaging; Positron emission tomography; Stereotaxic frame.