Investigating the human spinal sensorimotor pathways through functional magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Vol. 245; p. 118684
• Main Authors: Landelle, Caroline, Lungu, Ovidiu, Vahdat, Shahabeddin, Kavounoudias, Anne, Marchand-Pauvert, Véronique, De Leener, Benjamin, Doyon, Julien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 15-12-2021; Elsevier Limited; Elsevier
• Subjects: Brain mapping; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Humans; Investigations; Life Sciences; Localization; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Motor; Neuroimaging; Neurons and Cognition; Proprioception; resting-state; Sensorimotor pathways; Sensorimotor system; Spinal cord; Spinal Cord - anatomy & histology; Spinal Cord - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Cord - physiology; Spinal-cord FMRI; Therapeutic applications; Touch; Spinal-cord FMRI; Sensorimotor pathways; Motor; Touch; Proprioception; resting-state; Spinal-cord fMRI; motor; touch; proprioception; sensorimotor pathways
• ISSN: 1053-8119; 1095-9572
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118684

•44 articles using task- or resting-state spinal fMRI were identified and analyzed.•We mapped the spinal fMRI sensory and motor activation across these studies.•The well-known functional organization of the spinal cord can be observed with fMRI.•fMRI can provide spinal data on larger scales, including on brain-spine interactions.•Spinal fMRI has specific advantages when used in clinical research and practice.
Most of our knowledge about the human spinal ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) pathways comes from non-invasive electrophysiological investigations. However, recent methodological advances in acquisition and analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the spinal cord, either alone or in combination with the brain, have allowed us to gain further insights into the organization of this structure. In the current review, we conducted a systematic search to produced somatotopic maps of the spinal fMRI activity observed through different somatosensory, motor and resting-state paradigms. By cross-referencing these human neuroimaging findings with knowledge acquired through neurophysiological recordings, our review demonstrates that spinal fMRI is a powerful tool for exploring, in vivo, the human spinal cord pathways. We report strong cross-validation between task-related and resting-state fMRI in accordance with well-known hemicord, postero-anterior and rostro-caudal organization of these pathways. We also highlight the specific advantages of using spinal fMRI in clinical settings to characterize better spinal-related impairments, predict disease progression, and guide the implementation of therapeutic interventions.