Multi-User MRI Computing Cluster and Visual Projection System

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The brain has been shown to contain discrete regions and complex networks that allow us to think, make decisions and process the sensory information in the world around us in order to interact with our environment. Over the past 20 years significant advances have been made in understanding how the brain codes sensory information about the world. The increase in our understanding of how we behave and respond has occurred through brain imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Neuroscientists can image the brain's structure, how regions connect to one another and how it functions during specific thoughts, intentions, perceptions and actions. Despite significant advances, there is still more to discover in order to fully understand the complexities of how the brain guides our daily behaviour. This research proposal will build upon existing MRI infrastructure at the MRI Research Facility at York University by providing researchers with the opportunity to better examine the brain with cutting edge neuroscience tools. The technology proposed includes a visual projection system for delivery of visual stimuli in the high field magnetic environment to enable neuroscientists and their trainees to perform MRI experiments with significantly advanced spatiotemporal control over visual stimuli. A computing cluster and data server will enable faster analysis of the large datasets that are acquired. The concentration of neuroscientists using the MRI Research Facility at York University are working in diverse areas to understand the brain and behaviour making the York Facility a hotbed for novel research and development. This infrastructure will yield a competitive edge for researchers at the MRI Research Facility at York University nationally and internationally within the field of neuroscience. This research technology will assist in training students from undergraduate to graduate and postdoctoral levels on the latest techniques in mapping the brain and its networks thereby making them highly competitive nationally and internationally in research, industry and clinical settings.