CUMC has an integrated imaging laboratory network that offers state-of-the-art imaging resources in positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance structural, functional and spectroscopic imaging and is central to the molecular imaging research programs at CUMC. The Core requires investigators initial evaluation and feedback on the design of their project before approval and implementation. This approach has been designed to help investigators new to brain imaging and investigators with a moderate level of experience in one or other specific brain imaging modality, to choose a state-of-the-art approach, sometimes combining more than one imaging modality, to address clinical questions or test hypotheses to best advantage. This purpose is accomplished by reviewing projects by a committee with representation from the major imaging modalities including positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
The Core strives to make available to investigators: state-of-the-art scanners in PET and MR; cold chemistry and radiochemistry for radioligands and MR contrast agents; image analysis software and hardware; and expert advice, consultation and support for all stages of projects from image acquisition through to image analysis to optimize the quality of the scientific data generated by projects. Specific laboratories and resources include: the Kreitchman PET Center and three MR facilities that are described below.
The CUMC Department of Radiology Hatch Research Center, headed by Truman R. Brown, Ph.D. , Director of MR Research and Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, currently utilizes two research-dedicated MR systems: a 1.5 and a 3.0 Tesla Human system and a 9.4 Tesla small animal system for the study of all organ systems. The Center focuses on improvements in MR imaging, angiographic and spectroscopic technology: EEG monitoring during image acquisition, tumor metabolic characterization with spectroscopy, advancements in Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) in stroke and dementia, methods to measure iron levels in liver and heart, muscle activation studies using phosphorus spectroscopy, development of double tuned head and surface Radio Frequency Probes (Proton and Phosphorus for 1.5 T and 3 T systems), 3D multivolume and time-series spectroscopy rendering and analysis.
The Small Animal MR Laboratory, led by Scott Small M.D. and Truman Brown has a 9.4 Tesla Microimager for small animal imaging. This system supports studies in mice, including cardiac imaging providing R to R Cine mode comparable to human cardiac cine imaging. With transgenic engineering, mice have emerged as the dominant animal model with which to investigate a range of human diseases. We have a dedicated mouse MRI laboratory, outfitted with a range of small-animal monitoring devices. Second, we have adapted MRI utilities to investigate the diminutive dimensions of the mouse brain with high-resolution structural and functional maps. A data-analysis laboratory allows multiple users to process, analyze and store MRI data. The core mouse-imaging facility is organized such that investigators without imaging expertise can successfully complete mouse-MRI studies.
The CUMC Department of Radiology Functional MRI Research Center is directed by Joy Hirsch, Ph.D. , Professor of Neuroradiology and Psychology. The Center has a research-dedicated MRI scanner (1.5 T) engaged in brain fMRI, structural and diffusion tensor imaging, and equipped with visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory stimulation systems as well as simultaneous recording of biophysical markers including eye tracking, EEG, heart rate, skin conductance, response options and reaction times. The Center also includes a transcranial magnetic stimulation unit, psychophysical measurements systems, and a 256 channel EEG system. There are approximately 5 terabytes of storage, 48 processors and user access to all specialized computational environments for fMRI including SPM, Mat lab, FSL, Brain Voyager, Brain Site, and SPSS. Data are centrally stored and backed-up for secure user access. The Center provides users with the highest structural and functional image quality, assuring regulatory and safety compliance, and user support for data analysis and experimental design.
The MRI Unit at the New York State Psychiatric Institute is directed by Dr. Bradley Peterson. This MRI Unit is equipped with a research-dedicated 3T General Electric high- performance MRI scanner and other state-of-the-art resources for image acquisition and analysis. The Unit’s activities are directed mainly at brain disorders and include: anatomical MRI, fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and MR spectroscopy; image postprocessing; paradigm design for fMRI; software development for various imaging formats; and image analysis.
The CUMC Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Center Research Program is directed by Dr Ronald van Heertum
and Dr J John Mann is a comprehensive PET Center. PET has wide application in molecular imaging and can map quantitatively key receptors, enzymes, lipid turnover, proteins such as amyloid deposition in Alzheimer's disease, tumor markers such as measures of cell division, gene expression, inflammatory responses, markers of beta cell mass in pancreatic islets, neuroreceptors and enzymes, neurotransmitter turnover and intra-synaptic levels of neurotransmitters and signal transduction.
These approaches have great value for studying most major diseases in terms of causes, improved diagnosis and monitoring treatment response or biomarkers. Secondly, PET is a uniquely powerful tool for the identification, pharmacological characterization and pharmacokinetic evaluation of potential new medications and thereby determining optimal dosages.
PET Chemistry/Ligand development are the responsibility of Dr. JS Dileep Kumar assisted by Dr Jaya Prabhakaran and Dr. Vattoly Majo. This organic chemistry team is responsible for the de novo synthesis of precursors and standards, in compliance with quality control procedures for human use as per FDA and RDRC regulations. Routine radiolabeling procedures are directed by Norman Simpson, Director of the PET Center Radioisotope and Radioligand Production. Imaging Analysis is supervised by Dr Ramin Parsey that includes: Todd Ogden PhD, senior faculty expert on image analysis for PET; Dr Mark Slifstein, kinetic modeling; and Dr Ashish Ojha programmer for kinetic analysis and partial volume correction. Core staff perform routine data analyses, including PET to PET registration, movement correction, PET to MRI registration, tracing regions of interest boundaries on MRI, and constructing regional time-activity curves.
Imaging Core Pilot Award Recipients - 2007 to Present
Submit Request |
