NEUROIMAGING CORE

人类大脑成像技术的进步正在迅速提高我们对运动、知觉、 和认知功能的关系。脑功能成像及相关成像的应用 现在的技术允许识别学习障碍的区域特异性神经异常（PR#15 Eden -，功能磁共振成像研究的语音和感觉处理的阅读障碍），多动症（PR# 77 Vaidya -整合大脑成像和ADHD的遗传分析），自闭症（PR#84 Zeffiro - 自闭症的神经生物学起源和创新治疗）和先天性代谢缺陷（PR#28 Gropman-Assessing neural mechanisms of injury in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency）。最后， 这些技术可用于确定慢性脑梗死患者特定皮质功能随时间的变化， 儿童神经系统疾病，如部分性癫痫（PR#20盖拉尔-语言的可塑性 儿童癫痫的网络）。 神经影像学核心的目的是为MRDDRC研究者提供专业知识和支持， 实验设计，数据采集，数据分析和数据管理领域的实验利用 结构、功能和代谢脑成像技术。核心将为研究提供支持 采用：（a）结构MRI，（B）扩散MRI，（c）磁共振波谱（MRS），（d）功能MRI， 磁共振成像（fMRI），（e）近红外光谱（NIRS）和电生理学。这种支持将包括协商 对新研究者进行与实验方法和MRI兼容任务相关的培训 建设 神经影像学核心现在包括四个独立的部门： 1. GU功能和分子成像中心（CFMI）拥有3.0T Siemens Trio MRI系统， 支持结构，功能和光谱MRI研究，以评估儿童和成人， 癫痫、代谢、脑血管、发育和神经退行性疾病。功能性大脑 成像研究将使用GU MRI系统，因为研究成像时间和 支持积极研究项目的机构人员的广泛儿科专业知识，包括 语言、运动控制、记忆、阅读、注意力和知觉的研究。CFMI的团队还将 提供有关实验设计，数据采集和数据分析程序的特殊专业知识， 儿科结构和功能成像研究。 2.一个信息学小组负责维护GU和CNMC之间的计算设施和计算机连接。图像 和两个机构之间的数据传输，并支持高级软件应用程序（MEDx，FSL， Freesurfer和SPM）用于图像数据分析和可视化，将是这次活动的主要重点。 3.一个近红外光谱（NIRS）设施设在CFMI。它可以让高分辨率的血流动力学 监测发育障碍和中风的研究，并将在基本之间的翻译有用 科学和临床神经成像应用。 4.一个新的高密度脑电图系统被安置在CFMI，允许多模式研究整合不同的 有关大脑功能的信息来源。

Advances in human brain imaging techniques are rapidly improving our understanding of motor, perceptual and cognitive function in health and disease. Applications of functional brain imaging and related imaging techniques now allow identification of regionally specific neural abnormalities in learning disabilities (PR#15 Eden -, Functional MRI studies of phonological and senory processing in dyslexia), ADHD (PR# 77 Vaidya - Integrating brain imaging and genetic analysis of ADHD), autism (PR#84 Zeffiro - Neurobiologic origins and innovative treatment of autism), and inborn errors of metabolism (PR#28 Gropman-Assessing neural mechanisms of injury in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency). Finally, these techniques can be used to determine changes over time in specific cortical functions in chronic neurological disorders in children, such as partial epilepsy (PR#20 Gaillard - Plasticity of language networks in childhood epilepsy). The purpose of the Neuroimaging Core is to provide expertise and support to MRDDRC investigators in the areas of experimental design, data acquisition, data analysis, and data management for experiments utilizing structural, functional and metabolic brain imaging techniques. The Core will provide support for studies employing: (a) structural MRI, (b) diffusion MRI (c) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), (d) functional MRI (fMRI), (e) near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and electrophysiology. This support will include consultation and training for new investigators in issues pertaining to experimental methods and MRI compatible task construction. The Neuroimaging Core now incorporates four separate divisions: 1. The GU Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging (CFMI) has a 3.0T Siemens Trio MRI system that supports structural, functional and spectroscopic MRI studies in the evaluation of children and adults with epilepsy, metabolic, cerebrovascular, developmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Functional brain imaging studies will use the GU MRI system because of the availability of research imaging time and the extensive pediatric expertise of the personnel at the facility who support an active research program including studies of language, motor control, memory, reading, attention and perception. The group at CFMI will also provide special expertise pertaining to experimental design, data acquisition and data analysis procedures for pediatric structural and functional imaging studies. 2. An informatics group maintains computational facilities and computer links between GU and CNMC. Image and data transfer between the two institutions, and support of the advanced software applications (MEDx, FSL, Freesurfer and SPM) used for image data analysis and visualization, will be the main focus of this activity. 3. A near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) facility is housed at CFMI. It will allow high-resolution hemodynamic monitoring studies in developmental disorders and stroke and will be useful in the translation between basic science and clinical neuroimaging applications. 4. A new high-density EEG system is housed at CFMI, allowing multi-modal studies integrating different sources of information pertaining to brain function.