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7T Human Imaging |
Cancer Imaging |
 Functional & Structural Neuroimaging | |
| Metabolic Imaging & Spectroscopy
| Cellular & Molecular Imaging
| Cardiovascular Imaging |
| Image Processing
& Analysis | Physics of Imaging
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Functional & Structural Neuroimaging
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| Contact: Adam Anderson (615-322-8353) |
Brief Description
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are powerful tools for studying the structure and function of the brain and how these are affected by normal development, aging, and disease. MRI provides excellent contrast between brain tissue types and is used to study the volume, shape, microstructure, flow, and metabolic activity in specific brain regions under a wide variety of conditions. PET makes use of targeted radiotracers to image the location, concentration, and activity of specific molecules in body tissues. At the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, these technologies are being applied to a wide range of questions in basic and clinical neuroscience. Examples of these applications are listed here:
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- MRI for assessing brain structure, including the use of quantitative morphometry
for following changes in development, aging and disease
- Functional MRI (fMRI) for assessing regional brain functions, including the neural bases
of cognition and perception
- Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for studies of neurotransmitters and metabolism
- PET imaging to study neurochemistry and metabolism
- Psychiatry - using fMRI, MRS and PET imaging to identify the neural basis of behavioral disorders and mental illness and to guide optimal treatments
- Addiction - identifying the neurobiological bases of drug and other addictions,
and helping select specific therapies for sub-groups of addicts
- Neurosurgery - using image guidance to ensure optimal outcomes for surgeries
for brain tumors and epilepsy
- Neurology - identifying the pathological and functional changes associated
with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, HIV, and degenerative
conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases.
- Development - providing new insights into the development of the brain before
and after birth, and identifying the neural basis of abnormal development
in young children
- Genetics - using imaging in humans and mice to understand the relationships
between genes and the structure, function and behavior of whole organisms
- Pharmacologic MRI - fMRI for assessing regional brain responses to psychoactive compounds and interactions between drugs and neurotransmitter systems to study animal models of psychiatric and neurologic diseases
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Current Projects
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