Elementary Neuronal Ensembles to Whole Brain Networks: Ultrahigh Resolution Imaging of Function and Connectivity in Humans

摘要： 美国国立卫生研究院（NIH）的大脑计划（大脑2025：科学愿景）的战略计划呼吁变革性的 MRI技术的发展，以实现“亚毫米空间分辨率描述神经元 活动，功能和结构连接，以及通过在人类大脑中的进展网络分析， 仪器、数据采集和分析技术”。本次资助申请的主要目的是 专门从事这种技术发展。我们计划迎来下一代MR 仪器，数据采集和图像重建方法，以达到和跨越目前 人类大脑研究中不可用的空间尺度，从几千个神经元组成的集合， 神经元到整个大脑功能和结构连接。拟议工作的重点将是休息 基于状态和任务或刺激的功能成像（fMRI）和扩散成像（dMRI）方法， 纤维束成像和白质微结构测定。我们提出了一个基于充足的策略 初步数据，以开发和实施独特和新颖的梯度，B 0探头，RF线圈，图像采集 和重建方法，以及以前无法获得的10.5特斯拉磁场。的结果 从所提出的技术的累积收益，我们预计一个数量级或更多的减少， 体素体积，从而达到甚至超过BRAIN Initiative中规定的分辨率目标 战略计划。使用这个新功能，我们还计划生成一个公共可用的数据库， 对灰质之间功能和结构联系的最完整和准确的描述 位置在人类大脑中的日期，并促进先进的计算建模的信息是如何 由人脑中的神经群编码。 拟议的发展将由一个由来自世界银行的调查人员组成的联合会进行。 明尼苏达大学磁共振研究中心（CMRR）、斯坦福大学卢卡斯中心 宾夕法尼亚州立大学核磁共振研究中心、纽约大学生物医学成像中心和牛津大学; 他们一起为这个项目带来了独特的经验和高分辨率的成就记录 功能和扩散成像，磁共振磁场技术和应用，射频脉冲和脉冲 序列开发，多通道传输技术，梯度设计与施工，制造 以及新型介电材料的使用、RF线圈设计和构造、以及图像重建和后处理。 处理.

ABSTRACT: The strategic plan of the NIH's BRAIN Initiative (BRAIN 2025: A scientific Vision) calls for transformative technological developments with MRI to achieve “submillimeter spatial resolution descriptions of neuronal activity, functional and structural connectivity, and network analysis in the human brain through advances in instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis techniques”. The primary aim of this grant application is specifically to undertake such technological developments. We plan to usher in the next generation MR instrumentation, and data acquisition and image reconstruction methods in order to reach and span currently unavailable spatial scales in human brain studies, going from neuronal ensembles composed of few thousand neurons to whole brain function and structural connectivity. The focus of the proposed work will be resting state- and task- or stimulus-based functional imaging (fMRI), and diffusion imaging (dMRI) methods for tractography and white-matter microstructure determination. We present a strategy, based on ample preliminary data, to develop and implement unique and novel gradients, B0 shims, RF coils, image acquisition and reconstruction methods, and previously unavailable 10.5 Tesla ultrahigh magnetic field. As a result of the cumulative gains from the proposed technologies, we anticipate an order of magnitude or more reduction in voxel volumes, thus reaching and even exceeding the resolution targets set forth in the BRAIN Initiative strategic plan. Using this new capability, we also plan to generate a publicly available database that will enable the most complete and accurate description of the functional and structural connections among gray matter locations in the human brain to date, and facilitate advanced computational modeling of how information is encoded by neural populations in the human brain. The proposed developments will be carried out by a consortium composed of investigators from the University of Minnesota Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), Stanford University Lucas Center for Imaging, Penn State Center for NMR Research, NYU Center for Biomedical Imaging and Oxford University; together they bring to this project unique experience and track record of accomplishments in high resolution functional and diffusion imaging, ultrahigh magnetic field technology and applications, RF pulse and pulse sequence development, multichannel transmit technology, gradient design and construction, manufacturing and use of novel dielectric materials, RF coil design and construction, and image reconstruction and post- processing.