Detection of pharmacologically mediated changes in cerebral activity by functional magnetic resonance imaging: the effects of sulpiride in the brain of the anaesthetised rat

Abstract Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study the effects of the D 2 -like receptor selective antagonist, sulpiride, at 2 Tesla in the brain of the α-chloralose anaesthetised rat. Region of interest (ROI) analysis indicated significant ( P 2 receptors in this brain region, consistent with its therapeutic action. Furthermore, the utility of BOLD contrast fMRI as a means of detecting changes in neuronal activity contingent upon the administration of a psychoactive pharmacological agent has been demonstrated.