CRCNS: Development & Optimization of Magnetic Source MRI

描述(由申请人提供)：本提案旨在开发和优化一种新的神经成像方法，称为磁源MRI(MsMRI)，它以创新的方式使用传统的MRI扫描仪来测量来自神经元群体的电磁信号。MsMRI技术基于直接检测MRI信号的变化，该变化与伴随着神经元修复的磁场变化有关。与正电子发射断层扫描(PET)和功能磁共振成像(FMRI)方法相比，msMRI具有更好的空间定位和更好的时间分辨率。与脑磁图(MEG)和电生理(EEG)相比，msMRI具有更高的空间分辨率。该项目的目标是系统地表征rnsMRI信号，将这一独特的技术应用于最初的人类神经科学研究，并促进msMRI在研究基本神经生理和神经心理现象的科学家中的使用，以及对脑部疾病的准确临床诊断/干预方法。提出了三个具体的目标：(1)改进和扩展msMRI的数学模型；(2)优化数据采集和分析策略；(3)评估msMRI信号满足线性系统要求的程度及其对磁场强度的依赖程度。 这项建议与NIBIB的使命完美匹配，因为拟议的msMRI是一项创新的成像技术，应该会对人类神经成像、认知神经科学和神经病理学领域的研究和临床发展产生重大影响。磁源核磁共振可能代表着这些领域的实质性进步，并应有助于弥合人类神经成像和非人类实验中使用的电生理方法之间的差距。MsMRI技术提供的能量对于理解人类细胞神经生理学及其对脑部疾病的影响至关重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal is aimed for development and optimization of a novel neuroimaging method, termed "magnetic source MRI" (msMRI), that uses a conventional MRI scanner in an innovative manner to measure electromagnetic signals from populations of neurons. The msMRI technique is based on directly detecting MRI signal changes associated with changes in magnetic fields concomitant with neuronal filing. Compared with positron-emission tomography (PET) and functional MRI (FMRI) methods, msMRI has improved spatial localization and significantly better temporal resolution. Compared with magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electrophysiology (EEG), msMRI has superior spatial resolution. The goal of this project is to systemically characterize rnsMRI signal, apply this unique technique in initial human neuroscience research, and facilitate the use of msMRI among scientists investigating basic neurophysiological and neuropsychological phenomena as well as accurate clinical diagnostic/intervention methodology for brain diseases. Three specific aims are proposed for three years: (1) to refine and extend mathematical models of msMRI; (2) to optimize strategies for data acquisition and analysis; (3) to evaluate the extent to which msMRI signal fulfills the requirements of linear systems and its dependence on magnetic field strength. This proposal is a perfect match of the mission of the NIBIB because the proposed msMRI is an innovative imaging technology that should significantly impact on research and clinical developments in the fields of human neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and neuropathology. Magnetic source MRI could represent a substantial advance for these fields and should help bridge the gap between human neuroimaging and electrophysiological methods employed in experiments with non-humans. The power provided by msMRI technology is essential to understand human cellular neurophysiology and its implication on brain diseases.