FMRI of Pediatric Cochlear Implant Candidates

描述(由申请人提供)：本R21方案描述了一种可行性 神经科学技术发展项下的资助目标研究 程序(PA-98-050)通过NICHD。该提案概述了三个必要的目标 开发功能磁共振成像(FMRI)技术作为工具 用于评估儿科人工耳蜗植入者。功能磁共振成像是一种 相对较新和高度复杂的技术，这可以提供一个窗口 进入功能正常的人脑。人工耳蜗植入也是一项尖端技术 技术处于与功能磁共振成像大致相同的开发阶段。整合 这些技术中的任何一个都是一个挑战。这些功能的成功整合 在幼儿中使用技术是一个令人敬畏的命题，但它提供了 对人类耳聋、皮质可塑性、大脑的新认识的机会 发展和互联互通。 该提案有三个简单的目标，它们构成了必要的初步目标 功能磁共振技术在儿科耳蜗术中的应用进展 植入候选人。我们的目标是：1)确定听觉皮质活动 在服用镇静剂的幼儿和幼儿中，可以通过声音刺激功能磁共振观察到 听力正常的儿童；2)证明听觉皮质活动 在顺从的年龄较大的儿童中，可以通过声音刺激的功能磁共振观察到 有严重到严重的感觉中性听力损失；3)进行fMRI检查 听觉刺激在严重到深度听力受损的学步儿童和 处于镇静状态下的幼儿。 这些目标定义了建立功能磁共振成像可以使用的逻辑过程 在儿科人工耳蜗植入者中成功，其中许多人非常 年青的。如果这项可行性研究成功，它将提供必要的数据 需要开发应用功能所需的神经科学技术 严重到严重听力受损的幼儿和青少年的神经成像 孩子们。该项目还将更清楚地定义功能磁共振成像的潜在作用 在人工耳蜗术患者的选择和管理中。最多的 这个项目的乐观结果是，功能磁共振成像可以用来预测 未来受益于儿童体内的人工耳蜗植入。达不到这么高的水平 目标，这个项目一定会达到预期的目的 支持神经科学技术发展计划(PA-98-050) “将对现有技术进行重大改进的研究 对神经科学和将转化科学概念的研究很重要 成为未来技术的基础，这可能会促进对 重要的神经科学研究问题。

DESCRIPTION (Provided by Applicant): This R21 proposal describes a feasibility study targeted for funding under the Neurosciences Technology Development program (PA-98-050) through NICHD. The proposal outlines three aims necessary to develop functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology as a tool for evaluation of pediatric candidates for cochlear implantation. FMRI is a relatively new and highly sophisticated technology, which can provide a window into the functional human brain. Cochlear implantation is also a cutting edge technology in approximately the same development phase as fMRI. The integration of these technologies presents a challenge. Successful integration of these technologies in very young children is a formidable proposition but offers the opportunity for new understanding of human deafness, cortical plasticity, brain development and connectivity. The proposal has three simple aims, which constitute the necessary preliminary steps toward development of fMRI technology for use in pediatric cochlear implant candidates. We aim to: 1) Determine whether auditory cortical activity can be observed with fMRI with sound stimulation in sedated toddlers and young children with normal hearing; 2) Demonstrate that auditory cortical activity can be observed with fMRI using sound stimulation in compliant older children with severe to profound, sensorineutral hearling loss; and 3) Perform fMRI of auditory stimulation in severely to profoundly hearing impaired toddlers and young children under sedation. These aims define a logical course toward establishing that fMRI can be used successfully in pediatric cochlear implant candidates, many of whom are very young. If this feasibility study is successful, it will provide essential data needed to develop the neuroscience technology required to apply functional neuroimaging in severely to profoundly hearing impared toddlers and young children. This project will also more clearly define the potential role of fMRI in the selection and management of cochlear implant patients. The most optimistic outcome of this project would be that fMRI could be used to predict future benefit from a cochlear implant in a child. Short of achieving this high goal, this project will certainly accomplish the stated purpose of the Neurosciences Technology Development program (PA-98-050) of supporting "research that will develop significant enhancements to existing technologies important to neuroscience and research that will translate a scientific concept into the basis for a future technology that may advance understanding of important neuroscience research problems."