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

此申请是为购买Brainsight磁共振成像（MRI）神经- 导航系统，包括非人类灵长类动物（NHP）MRI线圈，一种用于颅骨和 皮质植入物和神经导航硬件和软件。人类和NHP的大脑高度 复杂的三维结构，具有非常高的受试者间变异性。目前，精确 NHP脑中的定位需要详尽的神经生理学和功能映射。这些映射 这些程序需要来之不易的专门知识，需要数月时间才能充分完成。这种延迟大大减缓了 研究精神疾病最有价值的动物模型的研究步伐。解决 在大型复杂的大脑中快速、精确和可重复定位的迫切需求，Brainsight MRI 神经导航系统将高分辨率结构和功能MRI与机器人放置相结合， 腔室、引导装置和记录装置。在手术过程中，研究者将能够定位电极 记录设备、刺激设备和注射针头， 结构在日常记录会话期间，神经导航系统的视觉显示器将显示实时 电极或器械相对于MRI扫描的位置。对该工具的需求在本 应用与几个NIMH支持的项目，包括决策调查，高通量 筛选和创建细胞类型特异性病毒载体，并研究前额微电路如何 对精神分裂症的病理生理有贡献所有这些项目都有广泛的初步数据 证明了在三维大脑中对设备的高精度定位的需要，以及 用于在记录会话期间实时反馈电极位置。仪器将被放置在 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，在一层楼里有五个独立的NHP研究实验室。的任务期限 国家神经网络中心的任务是对神经回路和系统进行前沿研究，这些神经回路和系统构成了复杂的 在精神和神经疾病期间的行为和功能障碍。SNC的研究人员说，有3 目前资助的NIMH赠款，2即将NIMH赠款提案和其他IC资助的另外8个项目。 我们目前可以在大楼里使用7 T扫描仪，在另一所大学的设施里使用3 T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结构和大体手术 规划Brainsight神经导航系统与我们现有功能的成功集成将 能够快速和精确地定位注射针、光纤和记录电极。因此 Brainsight MRI神经导航系统将直接受益于13个当前和即将到来的NIH赠款（5个来自 NIMH），并使行为神经科学的科学突破和对电路的机械见解成为可能 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.