Development of Three-dimensional Combined Analysis System of Brain Function.

为了阐明人脑功能和脑疾病的病理生理学机制，我们开发了一套三维空间脑功能联合分析系统，利用正电子发射断层扫描(PET)、单光子发射计算机断层扫描(SPECT)、磁共振成像(MRI)以及包括脑电(EEG)和脑磁图(MEG)在内的电生理测量方法对人脑进行检查。通过局域网系统将图像数据传输到工作站进行图像分析，并转换成通用的图像数据格式，使我们可以在同一个三维空间中分析数据。本文还介绍了脑功能体数据的自动配准算法，在完全相同的被试中进行了PET和功能磁共振成像(FMRI)脑激活的对比研究，结果表明，在相同的隐蔽词生成任务的激活范式下，fMRI观察到的脑激活具有较高的显著性水平，但fMRI在检测颅底区域和脑深部结构方面存在局限性，根据各自的特点选择合适的方法是重要的。用fMRI观察儿童发育过程中信号变化的不同反应模式。脑电分析和PET激活研究为阿尔法节律的产生和抑制提供了重要信息。为了进一步开发该系统，应包括对神经传递功能的分析。

In order to elucidate human brain function and pathophysiology of the brain diseases, we have developed a system for combined analysis of brain function in three-dimensional space using various noninvasive methods to examine the human brain, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electrophysiological measurements including electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). The image data were transferred to the workstation for the image analysis through the local network system and converted to the common image data format, which permitted us to analyze the data in the same three-dimensional space. We also introduced the algorithm for automatic registration of the volumetric data of functional brain imaging.Comparative study of brain activation using PET and functional MRI (fMRI) was performed in the exactly same subjects with the same activation paradigm of covert word generation task demonstrated the similar observation of brain activation with higher significance level with fMRI.However, fMRI has limitations in detection of the skull base area and deep brain structures, and it is important select the appropriate method based on the characteristics of each modality. The different response pattern of signal changes was observed with fMRI during the developmental state of the children. Combined analysis of EEG and PET activation study provided important information of the generation and suppression of alfa rhythm. The analysis of neurotransmission function should be included for further development of the system.