PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Yunqi Zhu AU - Kedi Xu AU - Caiyun Xu AU - Jiacheng Zhang AU - Jianfeng Ji AU - Xiaoxiang Zheng AU - Hong Zhang AU - Mei Tian TI - PET Mapping for Brain–Computer Interface Stimulation of the Ventroposterior Medial Nucleus of the Thalamus in Rats with Implanted Electrodes AID - 10.2967/jnumed.115.171868 DP - 2016 Jul 01 TA - Journal of Nuclear Medicine PG - 1141--1145 VI - 57 IP - 7 4099 - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/57/7/1141.short 4100 - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/57/7/1141.full SO - J Nucl Med2016 Jul 01; 57 AB - Brain–computer interface (BCI) technology has great potential for improving the quality of life for neurologic patients. This study aimed to use PET mapping for BCI-based stimulation in a rat model with electrodes implanted in the ventroposterior medial (VPM) nucleus of the thalamus. Methods: PET imaging studies were conducted before and after stimulation of the right VPM. Results: Stimulation induced significant orienting performance. 18F-FDG uptake increased significantly in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, septohippocampal nucleus, olfactory bulb, left crus II of the ansiform lobule of the cerebellum, and bilaterally in the lateral septum, amygdala, piriform cortex, endopiriform nucleus, and insular cortex, but it decreased in the right secondary visual cortex, right simple lobule of the cerebellum, and bilaterally in the somatosensory cortex. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PET mapping after VPM stimulation can identify specific brain regions associated with orienting performance. PET molecular imaging may be an important approach for BCI-based research and its clinical applications.