NEUROIMAGING CORE

人脑成像技术的进步正在迅速提高我们对运动、知觉 以及健康和疾病中的认知功能。脑功能成像及相关成像的应用 现在，技术可以识别学习障碍的区域性神经异常(PR#15 阅读障碍患者语音和感觉加工的功能磁共振研究)，ADHD(PR#77 Vaidya-整合ADHD的脑成像和遗传分析)、自闭症(PR#84 Zeffiro- 神经生物学起源和自闭症的创新治疗)和先天代谢错误(PR#28 Gropman-评估鸟氨酸转氨酶缺乏症损伤的神经机制)。最后， 这些技术可以用来确定慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者特定皮质功能随时间的变化 儿童的神经障碍，如部分癫痫(PR#20 Gaillard--语言的可塑性 儿童癫痫网络)。 神经成像核心的目的是为MRDDRC的调查人员提供专业知识和支持 实验设计、数据采集、数据分析和数据管理的领域 结构、功能和代谢脑成像技术。该中心将为研究提供支持 使用：(A)结构磁共振，(B)弥散磁共振，(C)磁共振波谱，(D)功能 磁共振成像(FMRI)、近红外光谱(NIRS)和电生理。这一支持将包括咨询 以及在与实验方法和MRI兼容任务有关的问题上培训新的研究人员 建筑。 神经成像核心现在整合了四个独立的部门： 1.GU功能和分子成像中心(CFMI)拥有一台3.0T西门子Trio MRI系统， 支持对儿童和成人进行结构、功能和光谱磁共振研究，以评估 癫痫、代谢、脑血管、发育和神经退行性疾病。功能脑 成像研究将使用gu mri系统，因为研究成像时间和 该设施中支持积极研究计划的人员具有广泛的儿科专业知识，包括 研究语言、运动控制、记忆、阅读、注意力和知觉。CFMI的团队还将 提供与实验设计、数据采集和数据分析程序有关的专门知识 儿科结构和功能影像研究。 2.一个信息学小组负责维护GU和CNMC之间的计算设施和计算机连接。图像 和两个机构之间的数据传输，以及对高级软件应用程序(MedX、FSL、 用于图像数据分析和可视化的FREESURFER和SPM)将是本次活动的主要重点。 3.近红外光谱(NIRS)设施设在CFMI。它将允许高分辨率的血流动力学 对发育障碍和中风的监测研究将有助于在基础 科学和临床神经影像应用。 4.在CFMI安装了新的高密度脑电系统，允许多模式研究集成不同的 与大脑功能有关的信息来源。

Advances in human brain imaging techniques are rapidly improving our understanding of motor, perceptual and cognitive function in health and disease. Applications of functional brain imaging and related imaging techniques now allow identification of regionally specific neural abnormalities in learning disabilities (PR#15 Eden -, Functional MRI studies of phonological and senory processing in dyslexia), ADHD (PR# 77 Vaidya - Integrating brain imaging and genetic analysis of ADHD), autism (PR#84 Zeffiro - Neurobiologic origins and innovative treatment of autism), and inborn errors of metabolism (PR#28 Gropman-Assessing neural mechanisms of injury in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency). Finally, these techniques can be used to determine changes over time in specific cortical functions in chronic neurological disorders in children, such as partial epilepsy (PR#20 Gaillard - Plasticity of language networks in childhood epilepsy). The purpose of the Neuroimaging Core is to provide expertise and support to MRDDRC investigators in the areas of experimental design, data acquisition, data analysis, and data management for experiments utilizing structural, functional and metabolic brain imaging techniques. The Core will provide support for studies employing: (a) structural MRI, (b) diffusion MRI (c) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), (d) functional MRI (fMRI), (e) near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electrophysiology. This support will include consultation and training for new investigators in issues pertaining to experimental methods and MRI compatible task construction. The Neuroimaging Core now incorporates four separate divisions: 1. The GU Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging (CFMI) has a 3.0T Siemens Trio MRI system that supports structural, functional and spectroscopic MRI studies in the evaluation of children and adults with epilepsy, metabolic, cerebrovascular, developmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Functional brain imaging studies will use the GU MRI system because of the availability of research imaging time and the extensive pediatric expertise of the personnel at the facility who support an active research program including studies of language, motor control, memory, reading, attention and perception. The group at CFMI will also provide special expertise pertaining to experimental design, data acquisition and data analysis procedures for pediatric structural and functional imaging studies. 2. An informatics group maintains computational facilities and computer links between GU and CNMC. Image and data transfer between the two institutions, and support of the advanced software applications (MEDx, FSL, Freesurfer and SPM) used for image data analysis and visualization, will be the main focus of this activity. 3. A near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) facility is housed at CFMI. It will allow high-resolution hemodynamic monitoring studies in developmental disorders and stroke and will be useful in the translation between basic science and clinical neuroimaging applications. 4. A new high-density EEG system is housed at CFMI, allowing multi-modal studies integrating different sources of information pertaining to brain function.