Training Dogs for Awake, Unrestrained Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Summary

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on unrestrained awake dogs is a new method with several advantages over imaging with physical or chemical restraint. This protocol introduces a cost-effective training method that minimizes training in the MRI environment, which can be expensive, and maximizes the subject pool available for canine functional MRI.

Abstract

We present a canine functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) training protocol that can be done in a cost-effective manner, with high-energy dogs, for acquisition of functional and structural data. This method of training dogs for awake, unrestrained fMRI employs a generalization procedure of stationing in several dissimilar locations to facilitate transfer of the stationing behavior to the real MRI scan environment; it does so without the need for extensive training time in the MRI scan environment, which can be expensive. Further, this method splits the training of a stationing (i.e., chin rest) behavior from desensitization to the MRI environment (i.e., 100+ decibel scan audio), the latter accomplished during dedicated Auditory Exposure conditioning sessions. The complete training and testing protocol required 14 hours and resulted in immediate transfer to novel locations. We also present examples of canine fMRI data that have been acquired from visual face processing and olfactory discrimination paradigms.

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted on unrestrained awake dogs is a new method, creating a fresh way to examine function and structure in the dog brain. The first published accounts of MR image acquisition from unrestrained awake dogs were published in 2009 (structural) and 2012 (functional)^1,2. There are several advantages of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for studying brain function in unrestrained awake dogs. First, the data collection is similar to that of humans, and therefore more readily generalizable across species³. Second, there is no need for anesthesia, ....

Protocol

Ethical approval for these methods was obtained from the Auburn University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and all methods were performed in accordance with their guidelines and regulations. For auditory exposure, progression through the sessions is based on week number. For stationing sessions, a specific session-specified performance criterion (e.g., at least eleven-second duration of chin targeting), must be met before the trainer may advance the dog to the next session in that training phase. Otherwise, that step is repeated.

1. Auditory Exposure sessions

NOTE: These sessions constitute passive expo....

Results

The mean number of repetitions of each session level is listed in Table 1. The complete training and testing protocol required 14 h (M = 13.55 h, range 12-16 h) and consisted of 90 sessions (range 87-93 sessions). Open environment training lasted 4.38 h (range 3-5 h), mock MRI training lasted 5.4 h (range 4.2-6.5 h), and transfer was 2.5 h divided into five 30 min sessions. Maintenance sessions at level 19 were conducted during transfer and are reflected in the complete t.......

Discussion

The protocol described above separates the training of the stationing (chin rest) behavior from desensitization to the MRI environment. Further, it utilizes a generalization procedure of stationing in several dissimilar locations, to assist in the transfer of the stationing behavior to the real MRI scan environment; it does so without the need for extensive training time in the MRI scan environment, which can be expensive. Overall, the training and testing was completed in 14 hours and resulted in immediate transfer to n.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Acrylic Mock Radiofrequency Coil	Menards	TU59018594	Mock Radiofrequency (RF) Coil: 8" diameter x 4' Concrete Form Tube. Makes four mock RF coils; cut form tube in four even lengths for four 8" diameter x 1' mock RF coils.
Agility Tunnel	J&J Dog Supplies	TT053	Open Agility Training Tunnel
Bluetooth Speaker	Sharkk	SP-SK896WTR-GRY	Portable Scan Audio Playback: Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker Sharkk 2O IP67 Bluetooth Speaker Outdoor Pool Beach and Shower Portable Wireless Speaker
Cardboard Concrete Form Tube	Menards	TU10120014	Stationary Mock MRI Bore: Sonotube 24" diameter x 12' Standard Wall Water-Resistant Concrete Form. Makes two mock bores; cut form tube in half for two 24" diameter x 6' bores.
Chuckit Ball	Chuckit!	17030	Toy Reward: Chuckit! Ultra Ball
Decibel X	Skypaw		Decibel meter phone app
Exercise Mat			Foam chin rest: cut mat in half lengthwise. Roll up, and secure roll with hot glue. Cut chin-size notch in center with X-ACTO knife. Hot-glue velcro to bottom surface.
Folding Table			3' x 6' folding table
Microfiber Car Wax Applicator Pad	Viking Car Care	862400	Viking Car Care Microfiber Applicator Pads
Natural Balance Treat Log	Natual Balance	236020	Food Reward: E.g., Chicken Formula Dog Food Roll, 3.5-lb roll
Plywood			Platform: 2"x4"x6' length of wood affixed to 3'x6' plywood board. Hot glue exercise mat on plywood board for traction. Braces: 3 4x4x4" cubes cut at 45-degree angle affixed to ends of 1"x4"x3' lengths of wood. Makes 3 braces.
Sand Bags	J&J Dog Supplies	AG155	J&J Professional Quality Sandbags x 2
Speaker System	Pioneer Electrics	HTD645DV	Stationary Scan Audio Playback: Pioneer HTD645DV 5 Disk DVD Home Theater System with Wireless Surround Speakers. Operating Instructions.
Towel			standard towel