Abstract

The functional imaging within the trigeminal ganglion (TG) is highly challenging due to its small size and deep localization. This study combined a methodological framework able to dive into the rat trigeminal nociceptive system by jointly providing 1) imaging of the TG blood vasculature at microscopic resolution, and 2) the measurement of hemodynamic responses evoked by orofacial stimulations in anesthetized rats. Despite the small number of sensory neurons within the TG, functional ultrasound imaging was able to image and quantify a strong and highly localized hemodynamic response in the ipsilateral TG, evoked not only by mechanical or chemical stimulations of corneal nociceptive fibers, but also by cutaneous mechanical stimulations of the ophthalmic and maxillary orofacial regions using a von Frey hair. The in vivo quantitative imaging of the TG’s vasculature using ultrasound localization microscopy combined with in toto labelling reveals particular features of the vascularization of the area containing the sensory neurons, that are likely the origin of this strong vaso-trigeminal response. This innovative imaging approach opens the path for future studies on the mechanisms underlying changes in trigeminal local blood flow and evoked hemodynamic responses, key mechanisms for the understanding and treatment of debilitating trigeminal pain conditions.

Visualisation of rat trigeminal ganglia activation during ophthalmic or maxillary nociceptive stimulations shows atypical tortuous vascularisation and a somatotopic hemodynamic response.

Details

Title
Ultrasound localization microscopy and functional ultrasound imaging reveal atypical features of the trigeminal ganglion vasculature
Author
Réaux-Le-Goazigo Annabelle 1 ; Beliard Benoit 2 ; Delay Lauriane 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Rahal Line 2 ; Claron Julien 2 ; Renaudin Noémi 2 ; Rivals Isabelle 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Thibaut Miguel 2 ; Nouhoum Mohamed 4 ; Deffieux, Thomas 2 ; Tanter Mickael 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Pezet Sophie 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la vision, Paris, France (GRID:grid.418241.a) (ISNI:0000 0000 9373 1902) 
 PSL Research University, Physics for Medicine Paris, Inserm, ESPCI Paris, CNRS, Paris, France (GRID:grid.440907.e) (ISNI:0000 0004 1784 3645) 
 PSL Research University, Equipe de Statistique Appliquée, ESPCI Paris, Paris, France (GRID:grid.440907.e) (ISNI:0000 0004 1784 3645) 
 PSL Research University, Physics for Medicine Paris, Inserm, ESPCI Paris, CNRS, Paris, France (GRID:grid.440907.e) (ISNI:0000 0004 1784 3645); Iconeus, Paris, France (GRID:grid.440907.e) 
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
23993642
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2647966015
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2022. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.