Manganese Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging reveals light-induced brain asymmetry in embryo

The idea that sensory stimulation to the embryo (in utero or in ovo) may be crucial for brain development is widespread. Unfortunately, up to now evidence was only indirect because mapping of embryonic brain activity in vivo is challenging. Here we applied for the first time Manganese Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MEMRI), a functional imaging method, to the eggs of domestic chicks. We revealed both spontaneous and light-induced brain asymmetry by comparing embryonic brain activity in vivo of eggs that were stimulated by light or maintained in the darkness. Our protocol paves the way to investigation of the effects of a variety of sensory stimulations on brain activity in embryo.