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Home Page
Research
Emphasis Areas
Research Affiliates
Core Services
Behavioral Science Core
Brain Imaging Core
Cellular Morphology Core
Genetics Core
Infant Primate Research Laboratory Core
Instrument Development Laboratory Core
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Overview
The Brain Imaging Core provides CHDD Research Affiliates with assistance in aspects of study design and implementation of modern brain imaging techniques that can evaluate brain structure and function in detail. Our imaging methods can localize information about the brain in space and time. Studies involve normal human subjects, clinical research protocols, animal studies, and phantom studies. The Core operates in a close working relationship with the University of Washington’s Magnetic Resonance Research Laboratory and the Integrated Brain Imaging Center.
We offer a wide range of services, including:
- Study design
- Development of new radiofrequency (RF) coils and other equipment
- Development of specialized custom techniques, optimized algorithms, and analysis methods
- Training researchers in data analysis and interpretation
- Statistical analysis
- Access to the mock scanner
- Analysis and storage strategies of neuroimaging data
- Small animal imaging for studies of, for example, brain physiology, neuropharmacology, genetic phenotyping
- Design of experiments and the design, creation, and delivery of stimuli for psychophysiological experiments
- Training in the use of methods for monitoring attention and cooperation of participants during psychophysiological experiments to allow for optimal use of good data collected from studies in which the participant was partially cooperative
- Training in all phases of conducting psychophysiology studies, including net and sensor application, data recording, artifact editing, and analysis
- Consultation regarding co-registration of ERP (evoked response potential) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) source localization plus the advantages and disadvantages of different ERP analysis methods
- Researching, reviewing, and writing specifications for new equipment and software related to all aspects of observational and/or psychophysiological studies
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Location
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Faculty & Staff
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Ken Maravilla, M.D.
Director, Brain Imaging
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Elizabeth Aylward, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Brain Imaging
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Heracles Panagiotides, Ph.D.
Training and Technical Support
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Cecil Hayes, Ph.D.
M.R. Physicist
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Clark Johnson, Ph.D.
Image Analysis Specialist
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Todd Richards, Ph.D.
Consultant
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Mark Mathis
Research Scientist
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To Use Our Services
Investigators who are interested in using brain imaging in their projects are invited to
- Read about the equipment and services we provide, then
- For technical and equipment information and for small-animal studies, contact Dr. Maravilla (kmarav@u.washington.edu, 206-543-3320). For human brain imaging studies, contact Dr. Aylward (eaylward@u.washington.edu, 206-221-6610). For ERP/EEG and use of the psychophysiology laboratory, E-mail a one-paragraph description of your project so the Brain Imaging Core can direct you to the proper personnel and provide pre-project consulting.
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Services & Equipment
Pre-Project Consulting
& Preparation | Brain Imaging Equipment
| GE 1.5 T | Bruker 4.7
T | Vertical Bore 7 T | Mock
Scanner | Image Post-Processing &
Analysis | Psychophysiology Laboratory
Pre-Project Consulting and Preparation
- Selection of appropriate imaging parameters and pulse sequences
- Developing Human Subjects applications
- Programming of stimulus presentations and data recording
- Fabricating hardware and electronics for building radiofrequency (RF) coils and other custom equipment and devices
- Running pilot imaging studies to demonstrate technical feasibility and to provide preliminary data for future grant proposals
- Assisting CHDD affiliates in preparing study participants for functional MRI (fMRI)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Functional MRI
- Perfusion MRI
- Structural MRI and MRI morphometry
- Cortical stimulation
- Near-infrared spectroscopy
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation
- High density EEG/ERP and autonomic recordings
- Co-registration of EEG electrodes and structural MRI
- Source localization based on EEG/ERP recordings
- Stimulus development for presentation during ERP experiments
- Consultation and seminars on ERP data collection and analytical methods
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Brain Imaging Equipment and Mock
Scanner
Whole-Body GE Signa Horizon Echo
Speed 1.5 T System
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This system has full imaging and broadband spectroscopic capabilities for performing multinuclear MR spectroscopy techniques. The unit is equipped with 23 mT/m echo-speed gradients capable of performing subsecond, single-shot, echo planar imaging for fMRI studies. Phased-array RF receiver coil technology is in place with a wide variety of proprietary manufacturer supplied coils as well as an assortment of custom-designed coils built in our Laboratory. A GE independent remote viewing station, and an Advantage Windows 3.0 workstation for image processing are also available. This scanner is connected to or has access to multiple specialized devices for supporting various research needs that include: |
- Computers equipped with E-PRIME and Psyscope software to present auditory and visual stimuli and to record subject responses during fMRI experiments
- Infocus projectors which are connected to the computer for display of visual stimuli in the magnet
- Custom-designed goggles built in the lab which are embedded in a custom-designed RF head imaging coil
- Magnet-compatible headphones which use the magnet field of the scanner as the speaker force/audio frequency generator
- A magnet-compatible push-button response device, and
- Human physiologic monitoring equipment for recording functions that include pulse, respiration, ECG, finger force and pressure, temperature, O2 saturation, end tidal CO2 levels, and the capability for recording any combination of these on a computer using LabView.
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Bruker 4.7 T MR System
This system has a 35-cm-bore magnet equipped with high-speed 100 mT/m gradients and a Varian spectrometer console. It is capable of high-speed and high-resolution imaging and broadband spectroscopy. It is utilized for human limb experiments (muscle energetics, perfusion studies and physiology) and for animal studies and in vitro imaging and spectroscopy experiments.
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Vertical Bore Magnet
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The 7 T, 7.5 cm vertical bore magnet is equipped with an identical Varian console as the 4.7 T system so that software and pulse sequences developed on one system are readily transportable to the other. This system is used primarily for broadband spectroscopy studies. It has also been fitted with special gradient and RF hardware, designed and built in the MR Laboratory, to obtain MR microscopy images with <40 μm resolution. |
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MR Scan Simulator (Mock Scanner)
| A mock scanner was constructed by the Instrument Development Laboratory Core. This is used for training subjects to perform tasks for fMRI experiments outside of the MR magnet and for developing, testing, and refining new fMRI paradigm designs without tying up expensive MR magnet time. This equipment is especially valuable for use with children and individuals with developmental disabilities to familiarize them with scanning equipment and procedures. The mock scanner is equipped with goggles and earphones similar to those in the real scanner and allows presentation of visual and auditory stimuli inside the mock scanner via E-prime and other presentation software programs. It is also equipped with a push-button device identical to the one in the real scanner, which allows collection of data during practice sessions inside the mock scanner to test subject performance. The mock scanner presents recorded simulations of both “room noise” and “scanner noise” that are very realistic. It is also capable of tracking head movement using a device that measures displacement of a small reflective disk that is affixed to the subject’s forehead with an infrared digital camera. |
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Image Post-Processing and
Analysis
The image analysis support of the Brain Imaging component, overseen by Dr. Aylward, is designated the Image Processing Lab (IPL). The IPL serves as a research and development component; its major focus is computer software development involving new techniques to support affiliates’ work for image post-processing and for new algorithms for statistical image analysis of fMRI data sets. The IPL also provides a service support function for routine analysis of fMRI research studies and for morphometric measures of anatomy for various structural brain imaging studies.
Computers in this area include multiple Unix-based workstations and several Pentium PCs that are equipped with Linux and Windows NT system support. Macintosh computers are also on site. All Unix and microcomputer workstations are connected via ethernet to the MR computer systems for rapid transfer of MR imaging and spectroscopy data that can then be stored and analyzed off-line. There are also 4 additional computers with dual Pentium processors equipped with MEDx software or SPM software for service support of routine fMRI analysis of ongoing research studies. Additional software support is also provided for MEASURE, an analysis program for anatomical measurements, and for iQuantify, a proprietary software package for image analysis and volumetric measurements. Clark Johnson, PhD, is an expert in fMRI data analysis with specialized software, such as FSL. FSL is a comprehensive library of image analysis and statistical tools for brain fMRI, MRI, and DTI (diffuse tensor magnetic resonance imaging), used to measure task-related changes in the brain's blood flow. Dr. Johnson provides free training classes, materials, and one-on-one tutorial help to educate researchers about the software programs, which have been optimized for the needs of CHDD affiliates, and pre-grant-submission consulting to help scientists prepare the optimum information for their proposals. |
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For further information see the MR Research Laboratory
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Psychophysiology Laboratory
The Psychophysiology Laboratory supports scientists studying attentional, perceptual, cognitive, and social-affective processes in children and adults, using electroencephalographic (EEG) and/or autonomic activity. Electrophysiological studies can provide information about the neural basis of perceptual and cognitive processes. EEG paradigms are especially useful for brain-mapping studies of very young and/or disabled children who are unable to cooperate with fMRI paradigms. EEG/ERPs (event-related potentials) are non-invasive, requiring only that the participant tolerate a damp sensor net or an electrode hat for relatively short periods of time, and they do not necessarily require the participant to follow explicit directions or produce motor or verbal responses. Thus, the methodology can be used across the lifespan and with participants who have limited cognitive or communicative abilities. Such requirements are important for understanding the early stages of brain development and function in both typical and atypical populations. Furthermore, unlike fMRI, EEG/ERPs are exquisitely sensitive to real-time neural processes, providing detailed temporal resolution on the scale of milliseconds as to changes in neural state. As such, they have been shown to be useful in measuring individual differences in neural processing in both children and adults in the context of developmental and genetic studies.
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Subject wearing sensor net in geodesic photogrammetry structure with a camera at each intersection. With Net Station software, cameras are synchronized to take pictures simultaneously to ensure accurate head measurements.
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The Psychophysiology Laboratory also contains equipment
to record a wide range of autonomic measures which can be utilized in studies
of attention, stress, and emotion, among others.
Testing methods in the facility include:
- Impedance cardiography
- Respiration
- Skin conductance
- Photoplethysmography
- Electromyography
- Cardiography
- Temperature
- Data acquisition and analysis software
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