The rabbit as a behavioral model system for magnetic resonance imaging.

•Rabbits tolerate restraint and have a crepuscular circadian rhythm that facilitates imaging of behavior.•Atraumatic, MR compatible headbolt facilitates positioning across days/among subjects.•Stereotaxic alignment of the head facilitates use of stereotaxic brain atlases.•MnCl2 injection (sc) permits imaging activity that occurred outside of magnet.•MR compatible stimuli and sensors permit eyeblink conditioning to be done in magnet.