Abstract Very recently, the revolutionary technology of contrast enhanced super-resolution ultrasound imaging has been developed. This novel technique images microvessels at resolutions as small as ten micrometers, over an order of magnitude smaller than the ultrasound diffraction limit, and at depths much greater than traditional limits imposed by the frequency.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), by offering the sole means of imaging human brain structure and activity with high spatial resolution, has evolved into an indispensable tool for studying brain function in health and disease. It is uniquely suited to examining the neural basis of higher order behaviors and cognition, as well as neurodegenerative and developmental disorders, for which animal models are of limited applicability. Yet, because of current experimental limitations, there is wide range of subjects and human behaviors that are completely inaccessible by MRI techniques.
SUMMARY The overarching objective of our proposal is to bring noninvasive human brain imaging into the microscale (50-500 micron isotropic) resolution in order to create a tool for studies of neuronal circuitry and network organization in the human brain. Our breakthrough technology, MR Corticography (MRCoG), represents substantial advances over existing MRI approaches. MRCoG achieves dramatic gains in spatial and temporal resolutions by focusing several different types of coil arrays on the cerebral cortex of the live human brain.
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Hypoxic-Ischemic brain Injury (HII) is a severe injury caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain at or near time of birth in preterm and/or low birth weight newborns. It is very important to recognize HII as soon as possible because early intervention improves outcomes. HII is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in preterm neonates with an occurrence of ~60%. Preterm neonates experiencing HII are at risk for developing hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, periventricular leukomalacia, and hydrocephalus.
PROJECT SUMMARY Methods that improve upon the temporal resolution of current fMRI techniques are urgently needed to better understand the temporal characteristics of healthy brain function and to better identify the drivers of brain dysfunction. Our current functional Magnetic Resonance Elastography (fMRE) data shows that functionally activated regions of the brain undergo a change in their mechanical stiffness. These mechanical changes are observed at frequencies as high as 10Hz, which is two orders of magnitude faster than traditional fMRI.
SUMMARY The goal of this proposal is to develop technology that is both novel and disruptive in order to achieve anatomical quality, dynamic B0 corrected, whole brain, microscale (≤ 500 µm isotropic) fMRI. Our Brain Initiative work thus far has demonstrated that, with the significant SNR gains of MR Corticography and SLIDER technologies, ultra-high 500 µm resolution fMRI is feasible at 7T. However, significant barriers remain that make microscale imaging of the whole brain extremely challenging, if not impossible.
In the human brain, 86 billion neurons form more than 100 trillion connections with other neurons at junctions called synapses. Scientists are now working on an ambitious effort to develop technologies to map these connections across the brain, from mice to humans.
New deep brain stimulation device coupled with powerful AI may improve therapy for treatment-resistant depression
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) solicits applications for team-centric development and validation of innovative non-invasive imaging technologies that could have a transformative impact on the study of brain function/connectivity. Applications are expected to turn a novel concept into a functional prototype using this phased grant mechanism. The feasibility should be established by the end of its first phase and serve as a foundation for the transition to its second phase.
