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Brain Imaging Core

Faculty Core Director: Richard J. Davidson, PhD		Faculty Core Co-Director: Andrew Alexander, PhD

Introduction:
The Brain Imaging Core is central to the integration of behavioral and biological research at the Waisman Center IDDRC. Mental retardation and developmental disabilities, whether resulting from environmental factors or genetic factors, involve a pathological alteration of brain structure and/or function. Examination of such alterations is critical to our understanding of the causal pathways from environmental or genetic processes to behavioral outcome and for the development of preventive or ameliorative interventions. 

Objectives:
The objectives of the Brain Imaging Core are to:

1. Provide access to state-of-the-art neuroimaging instrumentation. The Core’s current imaging instruments include:

   1.  a 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner for functional and structural imaging with associated equipment (e.g., eye tracking) to allow integration of imaging and behavioral measures

   2. a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner with associated tandem accelerator for the production of short half-life radiotracers

   3. a small bore high sensitivity microPET scanner for non-human primates and rodents

   4. a small bore high field strength 4.7T MRI scanner for non-human primates and rodents

   5. a high density electrophysiological recording system for electroencephalographic and event-related potential studies

   6. associated hardware for stimulus presentation in the scanners
       

2. Provide access to state-of-the-art tools for image acquisition and analysis.
   Included are tools for the analysis of functional activation with both functional MRI (fMRI) and PET, morphometric measures of brain structure, functional neurochemistry with receptor ligand PET studies and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and white matter fiber track tracing with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
    

3. Provide consultation and training
   The Imaging Core will assist IDDRC researchers in the design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of brain imaging studies for IDDRC investigators who are new to this technology.
    

Link to Brain Imaging Web Site:

• Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging & Behavior