Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) Imaging Core

项目背景/理由：神经创伤慢性效应联盟（CENC）的使命是 填补脑震荡或轻度创伤性脑损伤（mTBI）基础科学知识的空白，确定其 对晚年结局和神经退行性变的影响，确定最容易受到这些影响的服务成员 效果，并确定最有效的治疗策略。CENC是一个多中心协作连接 来自国防部的主要基础科学、转化和临床神经科学研究人员， VA，学术大学和私人研究机构，以有效地解决科学，诊断， mTBI的治疗分支及其长期效果。 总部位于休斯顿的CENC神经影像核心是由一个跨学科的神经影像团队组成， 神经放射学、神经心理学、磁共振物理学、信息技术和计算机专家 编程和统计谁促进序列开发和脉冲编程，培训和 技术人员的监督，成像数据的采集，质量保证，常规和先进 成像分析，传输和存储成像数据，并协助解释神经成像数据， 现有和未来的项目。核心由退伍军人事务部和学术附属机构的资源组成; 扩大现有的核心资金已经授予学术分支机构（贝勒医学院）， 由于联盟的发展以及核心工作范围的变化，需要。具体地说， 扩大现有研究的研究地点数量和增加几个新项目， 大大增加了核心的责任，包括额外的监督，质量控制，分析， 迈克尔·E的行政职责DeBakey VA Medical Center（MEDVAMC）的核心研究者和 工作人员 项目目标：神经影像学核心的目标是：1）协助获取脑成像 数据，包括常规磁共振成像（MRI），详细的体积测定和皮质厚度， 弥散张量成像（DTI）、动脉自旋标记（ASL）和静息状态功能连接MRI （fcMRI）; 2）传输，转换，分析和存储脑成像数据; 3）指导和协助执行质量 保证所有参与成像数据收集的研究中心的扫描仪;以及4）与 涉及成像的项目的调查人员，以促进将成像数据整合到项目中， 他们的目标。 项目方法：核心研究人员的集体专业知识有助于利用和分析 几种传统和先进的成像技术。MEDVAMC核心人员，包括MR 物理学家，监督每个磁铁的质量保证测试，这是定期进行，以确保 扫描仪的准确性、稳定性和可比性。核心人员协助脉冲编程和序列 开发用于特定项目的高级MR序列。核心研究人员提供额外的 对MR技术人员和项目协调员进行培训，帮助参与者准备接受成像。 核心人员还提供计算机编程方面的协助，以促进数据分类， 分析.由于传输和存储大量数据的复杂性以及频繁的 一些成像分析程序所需的软件更新，也涉及具有IT专业知识的个人。 核心人员还培训和监督所有图像分析师，协助解释成像数据， 协助准备手稿。

Project Background/Rationale: The mission of the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) is to fill gaps in knowledge about the basic science of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), determine its effects on late-life outcomes and neurodegeneration, identify Service Members most susceptible to these effects, and identify the most effective treatment strategies. The CENC is a multi-center collaboration linking premier basic science, translational, and clinical neuroscience researchers from the Department of Defense, VA, academic universities, and private research institutes to effectively address the scientific, diagnostic, and therapeutic ramifications of mTBI and its long-term effects. The Houston-based CENC Neuroimaging Core is comprised of an interdisciplinary team of neuroimaging experts from neuroradiology, neuropsychology, MR physics, information technology and computer programming, and statistics who facilitate sequence development and pulse programming, training and supervision of technologists, acquisition of imaging data, quality assurance, conventional and advanced imaging analysis, transfer and storage of imaging data, and assistance in interpreating neuroimaging data for existing and future Consortium projects. The Core is comprised of both VA- and academic-affiliate resources; an expansion of existing Core funds already granted to the academic affiliate (Baylor College of Medicine) is needed due to the Consortium's growth and the resulting change in the Core's scope of work. Specifically, expansion of the number of study sites for existing studies and the addition of several new projects has substantially increased the Core's responsibilities, including additional oversight, quality control, analysis, and administrative duties for Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC)-based Core investigators and staff. Project Objectives: Objectives of the Neuroimaging Core are to: 1) assist in the acquisition of brain imaging data, including conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detailed volumetry and cortical thickness, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), and resting state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI); 2) transfer, convert, analyze, and store brain imaging data; 3) direct and assist in performing quality assurance of the scanners at all sites involved in imaging data collection; and 4) communicate with the investigators of projects involving imaging to facilitate integration of imaging data into the projects to address their aims. Project Methods: The collective expertise of the investigators in the Core facilitates utilization and analysis of several conventional and advanced imaging techniques. MEDVAMC-based Core personnel, including MR physicists, oversee quality assurance testing on each magnet, which is performed on a regular basis to ensure scanner accuracy, stability, and comparability. Core personnel assist in the pulse programming and sequence development for advanced MR sequences used in specific projects. Core investigators provide additional training to MR technologists and also to project coordinators on preparing participants to undergo imaging. Core personnel additionally provide assistance with computer programming to facilitate data sorting and analysis. Due to the complex nature of transferring and storing very large amounts of data as well as frequent software updates required by some imaging analysis programs, individuals with IT expertise are also involved. Core personnel also train and supervise all image analysts, assist in the interpretation of imaging data, and assist in manuscript preparation.