Translational Neuroimaging (TNI) Core

Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center

Center URL: http://einstein.yu.edu/centers/iddrc
Core URL: http://einstein.yu.edu/centers/iddrc/research-cores/translational-neuroimaging.aspx

Core Personnel
Core Director: Michael Lipton, M.D., Ph.D.
Core Associate Director: Craig Branch, Ph.D.

Core Description

The Translational Neuroimaging (TNI) Core provides IDDRC investigators access to state-of-the-art, in vitro multimodality whole-organism imaging from mouse to human, with special facilities to accommodate pediatric subjects. In addition to state-of-the art hardware, software and applications, this core provides essential collaborative human resources to support the design, implementation and acquisition and analysis phases of neuroimaging investigation. As such, the TNI core is one arm of a comprehensive effort by multiple IDDRC cores to develop a broad, deep and accessible repository of human and animal data relating to normal development and disease states. The focal point of this core is the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC), which houses 9.4 Tesla small animal and 3.0 Tesla human MRI systems, as well as extensive support facilities.

Services

To provide IDDRC members with turnkey access to state-of-the-art human and animal imaging optimized to address their unique experimental needs
To educate and train IDDRC members and their trainees in the design, execution and analysis of imaging experiments
To develop a broad, deep and accessible repository of human and animal data relating to normal development and disease states, in concert with the other IDDRC cores
To develop novel data acquisition and analysis methods relevant to IDDRC members' projects

Equipment

Human MRI: The MRI system is extremely versatile and fully capable of imaging all body parts. Of particular relevance to the IDDRC, the MRI system is capable of absolutely state-of-the-art neuroimaging. Virtually any measurement conceivable can be implemented by MRRC scientists, who have full programming access to the MRI hardware and extensive pulse programming expertise. The following are representative examples of neuroimaging measurements relevant to IDDRC research:

High resolution (submillimeter) 3D structural imaging
Quantitative relaxography for tissue characterization
Quantitative diffusion tensor imaging and tractography
Quantitative perfusion imaging, with (DSCE) or without (ASL) contrast agents
High resolution time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
Proton and multinuclear spectroscopic imaging
Functional MRI, with visual and auditory stimuli, real-time subject response monitoring, eye tracking and real-time online data analysis on the MRI console

Animal MRI: The 9.4T spectrometer is capable of nearly any measurement one can envision. Imaging of rats and mice will be most in demand from IDDRC members. However, other small animals such as ferrets can be imaged as well. The following are representative examples of neuroimaging measurements relevant to IDDRC research: