Multi-modal Neuroimaging Training Program

描述(申请人提供)：体内成像技术已经有了很大的进步，使神经科学家能够可视化分子、细胞和系统的生理和功能。要充分利用神经成像技术，重要的是要了解基本原理、数据检测以及数据建模和可视化。此外，每种技术都有自己的优势和局限性。为了培训学生多个互补的神经成像模式的协同作用，我们建议继续由匹兹堡大学和卡内基梅隆大学联合举办的多模式神经成像培训计划(MNTP)，该计划包括博士研究生预科课程和为期6周的短期暑期研讨会。现有认知神经基础研究生项目中心的MNTP研究生项目有以下具体目标：1)所有参与学科的学生接受综合神经成像研究的基础神经科学培训。2)学生了解磁共振成像、扩散张量成像、功能磁共振成像、正电子发射断层扫描、脑磁图、脑电图学、功能近红外光谱学和光学成像的基本原理、建模和应用。3)学生整合多种方法，开展多通道神经影像项目。除了博士前T90/R90项目外，还计划举办一个短期的MNTP暑期研讨会，继续为目标学生和研究人员提供为期六周的项目，教授多模式神经成像的协同作用，这些学生和研究人员在一种成像模式方面有经验，并希望将他们的培训扩展到其他模式。暑期课程将包括基础讲座、实践团队项目、成像项目集成和多模式研讨会，强调多种成像模式的方法论。在过去的资助期间，这一独特的夏季计划得到了很好的发展。我们的暑期课程使学员能够利用协同、互补的成像方式来研究神经科学问题。该短期计划有以下具体目标：1)确保所有参与培训的学员了解几种技术的基本原理、潜力和局限性。2)确保学员学习如何设计范例，收集和处理神经影像数据，并解释他们的结果。3)确保学员将多种方法协同整合，并在本国研究所开展多模式神经影像项目。我们提议的计划将培训研究人员，使他们能够充分处理将多模式神经成像数据与各种数据获取和处理方法的知识以及适当的解释相结合的日益复杂的情况。这将加快多种成像方式在动物和人类基础和临床神经科学研究中的协同应用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There have been great advances in in-vivo imaging techniques, which allow neuroscientists to visualize molecular, cellular and system physiology and functions. To fully utilize neuroimaging techniques, it is important to understand underlying principles, data detection, and data modeling and visualization. Furthermore, each technique has its own strengths and limitations. In order to train students the synergy of multiple complementary neuroimaging modalities, we propose to continue the Multimodal Neuroimaging Training Program (MNTP) jointly run by both the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, which consists of the pre-doctoral graduate program and a short-term 6-week Summer Workshop. The MNTP graduate program within the existing Center for Neural Basis of Cognition Graduate Program has the following specific aims: 1) Students for all participating disciplines receive basic neuroscience training for integrative neuroimaging research. 2) Students understand underlying principles, modeling, and applications of MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, functional MRI, positron emission tomography, magnetoencephalography, electroencephalography, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and optical imaging. 3) Students integrate multiple methods and carry out multimodal neuroimaging projects. In addition to the pre-doctoral T90/R90 program, a short-term MNTP Summer Workshop is proposed to continue offering the six-week program for teaching the synergy of multi-modal neuroimaging to targeted students and investigators who have experience in one imaging modality and want to expand their training to other modalities. The Summer program will consist of basic lectures, hands-on team projects, integration of imaging projects, and multimodal symposium, emphasizing the methodologies of multiple imaging modalities. During the last funding period, this unique Summer program has been well-developed. Our Summer program enables trainees to utilize synergetic, complementary imaging modalities for investigating neuroscience questions. The short-term program has the following specific aims: 1) To ensure that all participating trainees learn the underlying principles, potentials, and limitations of several technologies. 2) To ensure trainees learn how to design paradigms, collect and process neuroimaging data, and to interpret their results. 3) To ensure trainees integrate multiple methods synergistically and carry out multi-modal neuroimaging projects in their home institutes. Our proposed program will train researchers for adequate handling of the increasing complexity of combining multimodal neuroimaging data with the knowledge of various data acquisition and processing approaches, and appropriate interpretations. This will speed up the synergistic application of multiple imaging modalities to basic and clinical neuroscience research in animals and humans.