MRI: Acquisition of a Magstim/Brainsight TMS System for Research and Training in Cognitive Neuroscience

认知神经科学研究试图了解认知和行为功能背后的基本大脑机制。虽然有各种可用的研究工具，但这些技术中的大多数都是相互关联的，因为神经活动(或神经活动的代理)是在人类受试者执行任务时测量的。来自这些技术的数据不允许进行因果推理，这需要对神经系统进行扰动。经颅磁刺激(TMS)是目前人类治疗神经扰动的首选方法。在国家科学基金会的重大研究仪器支持下，McAuley博士和他的同事将购买TMS系统，以加强密歇根州立大学在认知神经科学方面的研究和培训。TMS可以用来造成神经活动的暂时中断，或者刺激目标大脑区域的皮质。这项技术的最新发展使图像引导TMS交付成为可能，通常被称为神经导航。这种方法允许TMS线圈根据使用磁共振成像(MRI)技术获得的人的神经解剖学数据在指定的大脑结构上精确定位。这种能力很重要，因为尽管不同人的大脑结构大致相似，但神经结构的确切解剖位置可能会有很大差异。可以通过选择和突出大脑所需的结构/位置来识别干扰/刺激的目标。图像引导(神经导航)TMS正在迅速成为认知神经科学研究中广泛使用的标准技术。这项技术对认知神经科学的普遍价值在于，它是一种非侵入性工具，可以与功能和结构MRI数据相结合，对正常和紊乱的大脑功能做出因果推断，而这是仅通过fMRI/MRI研究无法实现的。参与的研究人员都是认知神经科学领域的活跃研究人员。这一新仪器将改变密歇根州立大学进行尖端认知神经科学研究的能力，帮助解开认知功能在不同领域的神经基础，包括感知、注意力、记忆、认知控制和决策。此次收购还将在更广泛的范围内促进大学范围内研究生和本科生的神经科学教育和培训计划。作为一个新的、受欢迎的神经科学本科专业的一部分，神经导航TMS将作为一门必修的核心实验室课程教授的方法之一，该课程将使学生接触到各种不同的神经科学方法。在研究生阶段，新仪器将通过提供新的教育和新的实践培训和研究机会，加强入门和高级神经成像课程。密歇根州立大学在STEM领域为妇女和代表不足的少数族裔提供的本科生研究和培训机会方面也处于领先地位，新工具创造的培训机会将与部门、部门间和大学范围的倡议产生协同作用。将通过与地区高中的科学教师建立联系，为高中生创造暑期研究体验的机会。

Cognitive neuroscience research seeks to understand the basic brain mechanisms underlying cognitive and behavioral functions. While there are a variety of available research tools, the majority of these techniques are correlational, in that neural activity (or a proxy of neural activity) is measured while human subjects perform a task. Data from these techniques do not allow causal inference, which requires perturbation of the neural system. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is currently the leading choice for neural perturbation in humans. With Major Research Instrumentation support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. McAuley and colleagues will purchase a TMS system to enhance research and training in cognitive neuroscience at Michigan State University. TMS can be used to produce temporary disruptions in neural activity or to stimulate the cortex in targeted brain regions. Recent developments in this technology allow image-guided TMS delivery, commonly referred to as neuronavigation. This method allows the TMS coil to be precisely positioned over a specified brain structure based on a person's neuroanatomical data obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. This capability is important because, although the structure of the brain is roughly similar across people, the exact anatomical location of neural structures can vary considerably. Targets for disruption/stimulation can be identified by selecting and highlighting the desired structure/locations with the brain. Image-guided (neuronavigated) TMS is quickly becoming a widely-used and standard technology in cognitive neuroscience research. The general value of this technology for cognitive neuroscience is that it is a non-invasive tool that can be coupled with functional and structural MRI data to make causal inferences about normal and disordered brain function that are not possible through fMRI/MRI studies alone. The participating investigators are all active researchers in the cognitive neurosciences. The new instrumentation will transform Michigan State University's capability to conduct cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience studies that help unravel the neural bases of cognitive function in a diverse set of domains, including perception, attention, memory, cognitive control, and decision making. The acquisition will also more broadly contribute to university-wide neuroscience education and training initiatives at the graduate and undergraduate levels. As part of a new and popular undergraduate major in neuroscience, neuronavigated TMS will be included as one of the methods taught in a required core laboratory course that exposes students to a variety of different neuroscience methods. At the graduate level, the new instrumentation will strengthen introductory and advanced neuroimaging courses by providing new education and novel hands-on training and research opportunities. Michigan State University is a also leader in undergraduate research and training opportunities in STEM areas for women and underrepresented minorities, and the training opportunities created by the new instrumentation will interact synergistically with departmental, interdepartmental and university-wide initiatives. Opportunities for summer research experiences for high school students will be created through established contacts with science teachers in area high schools.