Request for a Brainsight Turnkey Neuro-Navigation System For NHP Research

这项申请是为了筹集资金购买BrainSight磁共振成像(MRI)神经- 导航系统包括非人灵长类(NHP)核磁共振线圈，用于颅脑和脑部的精密机器人设备 皮质植入，以及神经导航硬件和软件。人类的大脑和NHP的大脑高度 复杂的三维结构，具有超乎寻常的学科间变异性。目前，精准 NHP脑的定位需要详尽的神经生理学和功能图谱。这些映射 程序需要来之不易的专业知识，需要几个月的时间才能充分完成。这一延迟大大地减慢了 在研究精神健康障碍方面最有价值的动物模型的研究速度。要解决这个问题 在庞大而复杂的大脑中进行快速、精确和可重复的定位的迫切需要，BrainSight MRI 神经导航系统结合了高分辨率的结构和功能磁共振成像与机器人放置 室、导轨和记录设备。在手术过程中，研究人员将能够定位电极 记录设备、刺激设备和向任何大脑注入亚毫米精度的针头 结构。在日常记录过程中，神经导航系统的视觉显示将显示实时 电极或设备相对于MRI扫描的位置。这种仪器的必要性从以下几个方面得到了证明 在NIMH支持的几个项目中的应用，包括决策调查，高通量 筛选和创建细胞类型特异的病毒载体，并研究前额叶微电路 对精神分裂症的病理生理学有贡献。所有这些项目都有大量的初步数据 展示了在三维大脑中对设备进行高精度定位的必要性，以及 用于在记录过程中实时反馈电极位置。该仪器将放置在 匹兹堡大学系统神经科学中心(SNC)。SNC是一个专门的中心 NHP研究，五个独立的NHP研究实验室一起在一层楼。的授权 SNC将对复杂的神经电路和系统进行尖端研究 精神和神经疾病期间的行为和功能障碍。SNC的研究人员有3个 目前资助的NIMH赠款，2个即将提出的NIMH赠款提案，以及另外8个由其他IC资助的项目。 我们目前在大楼里有一台7T扫描仪，在另一所大学里有一台3T扫描仪。 这些扫描仪提供了足够的MRI扫描，以确认正常的大脑解剖和肉眼手术 计划。BrainSight神经导航系统与我们现有能力的成功整合将 能够快速准确地定位注射针、光纤和记录电极。因此， BrainSight MRI神经导航系统将直接受益于13项目前和即将提供的NIH赠款(5项来自 NIMH)，并使行为神经科学和对电路的机械洞察力取得科学突破 导致心理健康疾病的故障。

This request is for funds to purchase a Brainsight Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Neuro- Navigation system that includes nonhuman primate (NHP) MRI coils, a precision robotic device for cranial and cortical implants, and neuro-navigation hardware and software. The brains of human and NHPs are highly complex 3-dimensional structures with extraordinary degrees of inter-subject variability. Currently, precise localization in NHP brains requires exhaustive neurophysiological and functional mapping. These mapping procedures require hard-won expertise and take months to adequately complete. This delay drastically slows the pace of research in the most valuable animal models for studying mental health disorders. To address the critical need for fast, precise, and reproducible positioning within large and complex brains, the Brainsight MRI Neuro-Navigation system combines high-resolution structural and functional MRIs with robotic placement of chambers, guides, and recording devices. During surgery, investigators will be able to position electrode recording devices, stimulation devices, and injection needles with sub-millimeter precision into any brain structure. During daily recording sessions, the Neuro-Navigation system’s visual display will show the real-time position of electrodes or devices relative to the MRI scan. The need for this instrument is demonstrated in this application with several NIMH-supported projects including investigations of decision making, high-throughput screening and creation of cell type-specific viral vectors, and research into how prefrontal microcircuits contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. All of these projects have extensive preliminary data demonstrating the need for high precision positioning of devices in the 3-diminsional brain, as well as the need for real-time feedback of electrode position during recording sessions. The instrument will be housed within the Center for Systems Neuroscience (SNC) at the University of Pittsburgh. The SNC is a specialized center for NHP research that houses five independent NHP research laboratories together on one floor. The mandate of the SNC is to perform cutting edge research into the neural circuits and systems that underlie sophisticated behaviors and that malfunction during psychiatric and neurological disease. SNC researchers have that have 3 currently funded NIMH grants, 2 upcoming NIMH grant proposals, and another 8 projects funded by other ICs. We currently have access to a 7T scanner in the building, and a 3T scanner at another university facility. These scanners provide adequate MRI scans for confirming normal brain anatomy and gross surgical planning. Successful integration of the Brainsight Neuro-Navigation System with our existing capabilities will enable fast and precise positioning of injection needles, optical fibers, and recording electrodes. Thus, the Brainsight MRI Neuro-Navigation System will directly benefit 13 current and upcoming NIH grants (5 from NIMH) and enable scientific breakthroughs in behavioral neuroscience and mechanistic insights into the circuit malfunctions that cause mental health diseases.