Brain Measurement Core

Core Director:
Aysenil Belger, Ph.D.
Director, Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory

Staff:
Gary Long
Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory Network Manager

Core Functions

The primary objective of the Brain Measurement Core of the IDDRC is to provide centralized support and services to the pre-clinical and clinical projects utilizing image acquisition and image processing technology for quantitative measurements of structural MRI (SMRI), functional MR (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and ultrasound in human neuroimaging. The core provides access to and training on well-established and validated neuroimaging methods and develops new methods and modifications of existing state-of-the-art image acquisition and analysis methods, including:

• experimental protocol development
• imaging data acquisition
• storing and archiving of clinical study image data
• maintenance of imaging databases
• assistance and training with imaging data processing
• development of novel imaging data analysis tools
• quality assurance of image acquisition protocols
• data transfer of image data to the image analysis lab
• two- and three-dimensional segmentation to obtain quantitative measurements
• rigorous validation and quality control of processing with intra- and inter-rater studies.

Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory

Core Director: 
Aysenil Belger, Ph.D.
Director, Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory

Core Faculty:

• Martin Styner, Ph.D., Associate Director, Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory
• Guido Gerig, Ph.D.
  Core Faculty, Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory
  
• Weili Lin, Ph.D.
  Department of Radiology, UNC Chapel Hill
  
• Gregory McCarthy, Ph.D.
  Director, Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center
  
• James MacFall, Ph.D.
  Department of Radiology, Duke University
  
• Allen Song, Ph.D.
  Associate Director, Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center
  

Staff: 
Gary Long
Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory Network Manager

Core Functions

Brain imaging has become an important and indispensable tool for the non-invasive analysis of human brain function and structure. In particular, MRI is especially well suited for the study of children because it is non-invasive, does not involve radiation and therefore can be repeated within short periods of time, thus enabling longitudinal investigations. Despite its clear advantages for studying developmental populations, both functional (fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging) and structural MRI studies require extremely expensive instrumentation and a dedicated scientific infrastructure including personnel and equipment. Successful completion of neuroimaging studies require considerable skill, training and experience at all stages -- from design to implementation to analysis. For example, functional imaging studies require:

1. the selection of the appropriate task for exploring a particular domain of cognition, or for probing the integrity of a particular cortical circuitry. They also require the adaptation of the task design to the highly restricted experimental environment of the scanner, without compromising the validity of the task. In addition, successful fMRI study designs also require
2. the selection of the appropriate imaging protocol and sequence for optimum imaging data acquisition. Implementation of fMRI studies with developmental or disabled populations in particular requires a tremendous amount of experience and familiarity with issues such as habituation to the confining and extremely loud scanner environment. Furthermore, fMRI studies also require
3. the selection and execution of multiple steps of imaging data analysis to produce reliable and replicable results. Once the data is acquired and analyzed, successful fMRI studies require
4. careful management and storage of the image data to ensure integrity and accessibility. Finally, all fMRI studies require
5. skilled analysis and informed interpretation of the results in light of the latest findings reported in the literature. Structural and diffusion tensor imaging studies pose similar design and implementation challenges, that require support from highly skilled and well trained personnel as well as access to expensive tools and equipment.

The Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory provides consultation and support for all these stages of design and implementation of neuroimaging studies, and provides access to well-established methods for the acquisition and analysis of MR data in the context of the EKSIDDRC projects involving these assessments. The DNL is also responsible for the development of novel neuroimaging methods to insure the most technologically advanced and efficient data acquisition parameters that would also address particular challenges posed by studying immature of developing neural systems.

Additional Information

http://www.niral.unc.edu
http://www.nirl.unc.edu

Membership and Access Information

To be considered for membership in the CIDD and to gain access to core resources in the EKSIDDRC, please visit the Membership and Access Information page.

Membership and Access Information

Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory Contact Information

Telephone:  (919) 966-1648
FAX:  (919) 966-9172

Campus Address:
Campus Box 7160
UNC-CH
Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Electronic mail: 
Aysenil Belger, aysenil_belger@med.unc.edu

CIDD Electrophysiological Research Lab

Core Director:
Aysenil Belger, Ph.D.
Director, CIDD Electrophysiology Research Lab

EEG Lab Supervisor:
Alana Campbell, Ph.D.

EEG Lab Manager:
Mae Nicopolis, B.S.

The mission of the CIDD Electrophysiology Research Lab is to provide personnel and research affiliates with access to cutting edge electrophysiology equipment, as well as a place to run experiments. Services range from assisting researchers with the design aspect of experiments, to the creation and delivery of stimuli for electrophysiology studies, to training investigators as well as their assistants on equipment application, data recording, artifact removal, and data analysis.

Consultation regarding the advantages and disadvantages of different ERP analysis methods is offered. Additionally, the development of new methods for EEG/ERP analysis is provided.

CIDD Developmental Electrophysiology Laboratory
Equipment and Software

Equipment at site 1
Location: 101 Manning Dr. Medical Wing D, Room 383, Chapel Hill
- One Electrical Geodesic Dense Array EEG Net Amplifier 300
This system allows for high-density EEG measurement up to 256 channels with a minimum of preparation time and without the need for skin preparation, hence, the usual, unpleasant scratching of the scalp after the electrode paste is applied can be omitted. These attributes make it a perfect choice for high density EEG in infant/pediatric populations.

- Four 128-Channel HydroCel Geodesic Sensor Nets (37-38cm, 44-47cm, 47-51cm, 51-54cm)
The HydroCel Geodesic Sensor net's elastic tension structure and electrolyte based application allows for quick application with a 15 minute set-up. The unique soft pedestal design of the HydroCel Skin Interface Chamber creates a sealed microenvironment, hydrating the skin and creating an interface between the skin and electrode. The HydroCel Geodesic Sensor Net's guarantees complete head coverage with attention to both appropriate inter-sensor distance and coverage of the underside of the head. The small inter-sensor distances translate to a more accurate measurement of the voltage field and coverage under the head allows for more accurate dipole source reconstruction.

- Net Station Acquisition Review and Analysis Software Subscription Coverage (1 license for 2 years)
Net Station is a complete software package for working with electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potential (ERP) data.

- Geosource source estimation software (1 license for 2 years)
GeoSource is a set of tools to model the neural sources of the brain’s electrical fields measured with the electroencephalogram (EEG) at the head surface

- Acquisition CPU with a 27-inch Cinema Display
MacPro quad Core, 2.66GHz, 3GB RAM, Mac OS 10.6.3

- Stimulus presentation CPU, with two 17-inch LCD monitors
Dell Optiplex 780 duo Core, 2.93GHz, 2GB RAM, Window XP OS

- E-Prime 2.0 software license (2 single user licenses)
E-Prime is a suite of software applications for computerized experimental design, data collection, and analysis. E-Prime provides millisecond precision timing to ensure the accuracy of stimulus presentation

- High-end Sound Blaster X-Fi soundcard for fast and reliable auditory stimulus presentation

- Experiment control hardware
Hospital grade isolation transformer, microphone, serial response box, video splitter and switch, E-Prime extensions for Net Station, response pad, fire wire enabled video camera, wireless intercom.

- Audio-Video Device (for independent measurement of millisecond timing accuracy)

- Large selection of infant/toddler toys

Equipment at site 2
Location: 101 Renee Lynne Court, Room 114, Carrboro
- One Electrical Geodesic Dense Array EEG Net Amplifier 300
This system allows for high-density EEG measurement with a minimum of preparation time and without the need for skin preparation, hence, the usual, unpleasant scratching of the scalp after the electrode paste is applied can be omitted. These attributes make it a perfect choice for high density EEG in infant/pediatric populations.

- Five 128-Channel HydroCel Geodesic Sensor Nets (38-40cm, 40-42cm, 42-43cm, 43-44cm, 56-58cm)
The HydroCel Geodesic Sensor net's elastic tension structure and electrolyte based application allows for quick application with a 15 minute set-up. The unique soft pedestal design of the HydroCel Skin Interface Chamber creates a sealed microenvironment, hydrating the skin and creating an interface between the skin and electrode. The HydroCel Geodesic Sensor Net's guarantees complete head coverage with attention to both appropriate inter-sensor distance and coverage of the underside of the head. The small inter-sensor distances translate to a more accurate measurement of the voltage field and coverage under the head allows for more accurate dipole source reconstruction.

- Net Station Acquisition Review and Analysis Software Subscription Coverage (2 licenses for 2 years)
Net Station is a complete software package for working with electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potential (ERP) data.

- Acquisition CPU with a 24-inch Cinema Display
MacPro quad Core, 2.66GHz, 3GB RAM, Mac OS 10.6.3

- Stimulus presentation CPU, with two 17-inch LCD monitors
Dell Optiplex 780 duo Core, 2.93GHz, 2GB RAM, Windows XP OS

- E-Prime 2.0 software license (2 single user licenses)

- High-end Sound Blaster X-Fi soundcard for fast and reliable auditory stimulus presentation

- Experiment control hardware
Hospital grade isolation transformer, microphone, serial response box, video splitter and switch, E-Prime extensions for Net Station, response pad

- Audio-Video Device (for independent measurement of millisecond timing accuracy)

- One NeuroScan SynAmps RT Amplifier system
SynAmps RT is a 70 channel amplifier system, consisting of 64 monopolar, 4 bipolar, and 2 high-level input channels (for receiving voltage outputs from other equipment). Each channel has a dedicated 24 bit A-to-D converter, to ensure the most accurate sampling available. SynAmps RT is a DC amplifier, allowing the recording of slow potentials without high pass filtering. Sampling rate can be up to 20,000Hz (synchronized across all channels) which allows for recording of the fastest activity such as ABRs (maximum low pass filter is 3500Hz).

- Active license for SCAN 4.5 Software for Neuroscan systems
SCAN 4 .5 is a complete software package and can process EEG, ERP, EMG, skin conductance, and heart rate data.

- Acquisition CPU with a 15-inch monitor
Dell Optiplex 990 with Intel Core processor i7-2600, 4GB RAM 3.40 GHz, Windows OS

- Stimulus presentation CPU, with 12-inch (outside booth) and 27-inch (inside booth) LCD monitors
Dell Optiplex 990 with Intel Core Processor i5-2400, 4 GB RAM, 3.10GHz, Windows OS

- E-Prime 1.1 software license
E-Prime is a suite of software applications for computerized experimental design, data collection, and analysis. E-Prime provides millisecond precision timing to ensure the accuracy of stimulus presentation

- Experiment control hardware
Hospital grade isolation transformer, video splitter and switch, E-Prime extensions for Tobii, Infra-red camera connected to TV monitor (used for active streaming of audio and video with no recording devices attached)