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Sensory processing is a complex neurological process that receives, integrates, and responds to information from one’s own body and environment, which is closely related to survival as well as neurological disorders. Brain-wide networks of sensory processing are difficult to investigate due to their dynamic regulation by multiple brain circuits. Optogenetics, a neuromodulation technique that uses light-sensitive proteins, can be combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (ofMRI) to measure whole-brain activity. Since ofMRI has increasingly been used for investigating brain circuits underlying sensory processing for over a decade, we systematically reviewed recent ofMRI studies of sensory circuits and discussed the challenges of optogenetic fMRI in rodents.

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Pain involves a multidimension network of brain circuits related to both somatosensation and cognitive-motivational dimension. Mouse fMRI allows for the in-vivo brain-wide functional mapping that can help explore the pain circuits at a systems level. We utilized transgenic mice in which we suppressed the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) with optogenetics to better understand its role in pain. Our behavior and fMRI results show that the ACC is involved in the cognitive-motivational dimension of pain, but not in the sensation of pain. In addition, we detected other brain regions as potential targets related to pain hypersensitivity with fMRI.

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