Investigating the structural and functional architecture of the medial temporal lobe using advanced imaging

内侧颞叶（MTL）是大脑的一部分，负责许多重要的日常过程，例如我们如何保留信息和建立记忆，我们如何处理我们的情绪，以及我们如何存储和使用有关他人的信息。MTL不是单一的，而是由多个结构组成，这些结构相互沟通并与大脑的其他部分沟通。对非人类灵长类动物的研究表明，MTL各组成部分之间的交流模式决定了它们如何发挥作用。然而，在人类中，对MTL的精细解剖结构及其布线知之甚少。磁共振成像（MRI）硬件的最新发展为以前所未有的细节非侵入性地评估人脑解剖结构、布线和功能提供了新的机会。该计划的目标是使用在具有7特斯拉磁场的扫描仪上获得的超高分辨率图像制作活体人类MTL的地图，这是目前魁北克和北美大部分地区可用的最强大的系统。 在7Tesla扫描仪上获得的图像比普通扫描仪获得的图像要详细得多。* 我们提出的计划将为加拿大领先大学的下一代科学家提供特殊的培训机会，并将使他们更好地了解我们如何发展记忆，处理情绪和与他人互动。**

The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is the part of the brain that is responsible for a number of important day to day processes, such as how we retain information and build memories, how we deal with our emotions, and how we store and use information about other people. The MTL is not single, but composed of multiple structures that communicate with each other and to the rest of the brain. Studies on non-human primates have shown that patterns of communication between various components of the MTL determine how they function. In humans, however, there is not much known about the fine anatomy of the MTL nor its wiring.****Recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hardware offer new opportunities to evaluate non-invasively human brain anatomy, wiring and function with unprecedented detail. The goal of this program is to produce a map of the living human MTL using ultra-high resolution images obtained on a scanner that has a magnetic filed of 7Tesla, the most powerful systems currently available within Quebec and across most of North America. Images acquired on a 7Tesla scanner are far more detailed than those obtained on ordinary scanners. ***The program we propose will provide exceptional training opportunities for the next generation of scientists at leading Canadian universities, and will allow to better understand how we develop memories, deal with emotions and interact with other people. **