Zinc Nanoparticles Enhance Brain Connectivity in the Canine Olfactory Network: Evidence From an fMRI Study in Unrestrained Awake Dogs

Bhavitha Ramaihgari; Oleg M. Pustovyy; Paul Waggoner; Ronald J. Beyers; Chester Wildey; Edward Morrison; Nouha Salibi; Nouha Salibi; Jeffrey S. Katz; Jeffrey S. Katz; Jeffrey S. Katz; Thomas S. Denney; Thomas S. Denney; Thomas S. Denney; Vitaly J. Vodyanoy; Gopikrishna Deshpande; Gopikrishna Deshpande; Gopikrishna Deshpande; Gopikrishna Deshpande

doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00127

Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Jul 2018)

Zinc Nanoparticles Enhance Brain Connectivity in the Canine Olfactory Network: Evidence From an fMRI Study in Unrestrained Awake Dogs

Bhavitha Ramaihgari,
Oleg M. Pustovyy,
Paul Waggoner,
Ronald J. Beyers,
Chester Wildey,
Edward Morrison,
Nouha Salibi,
Nouha Salibi,
Jeffrey S. Katz,
Jeffrey S. Katz,
Jeffrey S. Katz,
Thomas S. Denney,
Thomas S. Denney,
Thomas S. Denney,
Vitaly J. Vodyanoy,
Gopikrishna Deshpande,
Gopikrishna Deshpande,
Gopikrishna Deshpande,
Gopikrishna Deshpande

Affiliations

Bhavitha Ramaihgari: Auburn University MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Oleg M. Pustovyy: Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Paul Waggoner: Canine Detection Research Institute, Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL, United States
Ronald J. Beyers: Auburn University MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Chester Wildey: MRRA Inc., University of Alabama at Birmingham, Euless, TX, United States
Edward Morrison: Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Nouha Salibi: Auburn University MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Nouha Salibi: MR Research and Development, Siemens Healthcare, Malvern, PA, United States
Jeffrey S. Katz: Auburn University MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Jeffrey S. Katz: Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Jeffrey S. Katz: Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, Auburn University and University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
Thomas S. Denney: Auburn University MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Thomas S. Denney: Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Thomas S. Denney: Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, Auburn University and University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
Vitaly J. Vodyanoy: Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Gopikrishna Deshpande: Auburn University MRI Research Center, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Gopikrishna Deshpande: Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
Gopikrishna Deshpande: Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, Auburn University and University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
Gopikrishna Deshpande: Center for Health Ecology and Equity Research, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00127
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5

Abstract

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Prior functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies have indicated increased neural activation when zinc nanoparticles are added to odorants in canines. Here we demonstrate that zinc nanoparticles up-regulate directional brain connectivity in parts of the canine olfactory network. This provides an explanation for previously reported enhancement in the odor detection capability of the dogs in the presence of zinc nanoparticles. In this study, we obtained fMRI data from awake and unrestrained dogs while they were being exposed to odorants with and without zinc nanoparticles, zinc nanoparticles suspended in water vapor, as well as just water vapor alone. We obtained directional connectivity between the brain regions of the olfactory network that were significantly stronger for the condition of odorant + zinc nanoparticles compared to just odorants, water vapor + zinc nanoparticles and water vapor alone. We observed significant strengthening of the paths of the canine olfactory network in the presence of zinc nanoparticles. This result indicates that zinc nanoparticles could potentially be used to increase canine detection capabilities in the environments of very low concentrations of the odorants, which would have otherwise been undetected.

Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science

ISSN: 2297-1769 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture: Veterinary medicine
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science

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