FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (fMRI):
AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE
October 12-14, 2000
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This three-day workshop is designed to introduce the basic and clinical
researcher to the theoretical and practical issues involved in conducting
functional MRI experiments. Participants will gain an understanding of the
physiological principles underlying the fMRI signal change, as well as the
theoretical and practical considerations in research design. The course
will include firsthand exposure to the scanning environment and data
collection procedures. Participants will be provided conceptual and
hands-on experience with data treatment and statistical analysis. At the
completion of this course, it is expected that participants will be better
prepared to critique, design, and conduct fMRI studies; appreciate
limitations and potentials of current fMRI technology and techniques; and
better understand the expertise required to establish an fMRI research
program.
Course material will be presented in the form of lectures, problem-based
learning activities, involvement in an actual fMRI scanning session, and
instruction in the use of fMRI analysis software. Extensive handouts will
be provided. Specific topics to be covered by this course include:
- An introduction to MR physics for the non-physicist
- Physiological principles underlying the fMRI signal change
- Various MR pulse sequences used in fMRI experiments
- Influence of magnet strength and gradient/rf coils in detecting fMRI signals
- Limits and trade-offs associated with spatial and temporal resolution
- Detection of potential artifacts in the fMRI signal
- Issues related to safety and to studying various subject populations
- Delivering stimuli in the MR scanner environment
- Recording behavioral and physiological responses in the scanner
- Preventing and/or correcting head motion
- Design of task- and drug-activated fMRI experiments
- Extraction of functional images from fMRI time series data
- Defining statistical significance in functional images
- Displaying results in three dimensional space
- Techniques for comparing results across individuals
The course is designed to provide the participant with intensive, hands-on
instruction. As a result, enrollment in the course will be limited to 40
people.
fMRI AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN:
In 1992, the Medical College of Wisconsin was one of the first medical
centers (along with Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of
Minnesota) to demonstrate the BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) contrast
mechanism, which forms the basis for most of the fMRI research conducted
today. Since this initial discovery, MCW has been a leader in fMRI
research. The multi-disciplinary research effort has been supported by NIMH
program project and training grants, several NIH individual research grants,
and private foundation grants. In addition to making neuroscience
contributions in the areas of vision, motor control, audition/language,
cognition, epilepsy, and drug abuse, MCW has pioneered the development of
real-time fMRI, pulse sequences and coil hardware, and a variety of software
tools for the statistical analysis and presentation of fMRI data. This
software (Analysis of Functional NeuroImages; AFNI) is currently being used
by over 300 research centers throughout the world. AFNI will be described in
detail as part of this course and is available at no cost to research
institutions.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This course is designed for basic and clinical researchers interested in
applying fMRI technology. Knowledge of MR physics, signal processing, or
the UNIX operating system is not a prerequisite.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Thursday, October 12
AM Welcome and Introduction
General Introduction to MR Physics
MR Physics of Functional MRI Techniques
Functional MRI: Principles and Techniques
PM Functional MRI: Principles and Techniques (cont.)
Safety and Subject/Patient Issues
Subject Interface Systems
Friday, October 13
AM Introduction to fMRI Design Issues
Design/Analysis of Drug Effects Using fMRI
Psychophysical Approaches to fMRI
PM Single vs. Blocked Trial Designs
Control Tasks in fMRI Experiments
Small Group Sessions on fMRI Design
fMRI Scanning Session
Saturday, October 14
AM Introduction to Statistical Analysis of fMRI Data With
AFNI (version 2.22a)
PM Techniques for Comparing Results Across Individuals
MCW COURSE FACULTY:
Stephen Rao, Ph.D. Professor of Neurology (Neuropsychology), Psychiatry,
(Course Director) Cellular Biology, & Biophysics
Peter Bandettini, Ph.D. fMRI Methods Unit Chief, NIH
Michael Beauchamp, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow (Neuroscience), NIH
Patrick Bellgowan, M.S. Postdoctoral Fellow (Neuroscience), Neurology
Jeffrey Binder, M.D. Associate Professor of Neurology & Cellular Biology
Rasmus Birn, M.S. Graduate Student, Biophysics
Julie Bobholz, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow (Neuropsychology), Neurology
Robert Cox, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biophysics
Edgar DeYoe, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Cellular Biology & Biophysics
Kathleen Donahue, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Biophysics
Sally Durgerian, M.S. Research Assistant, Neurology
Julie Frost, M.S. Graduate Student (Cognitive Development), Neurology
Andrew Greene, Ph.D. Professor of Physiology
Thomas Hammeke, Ph.D. Professor of Neurology (Neuropsychology) and
Psychiatry
Antal Hudetz, Ph.D. Professor of Anesthesiology
James Hyde, Ph.D. Director of Biophysics Research Institute and
Professor of Biophysics
Andrew Mayer, M.S. Graduate Student (Neuropsychology), Chicago Medical
School
Michael Parsons, Ph.D. Instructor of Neurology
Edward Possing, M.S. Research Assistant, Neurology
Thomas Prieto, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Neurology
Ziad Saad, M.S. Graduate Student, Cellular Biology
Elliot Stein, Ph.D. Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Cellular
Biology, & Biophysics
Larry Sweet, M.S. Graduate Student (Neuropsychology), Chicago Medical
School
Jon Wieser, B.S. Research Assistant, Cellular Biology
COURSE LOCATION:
The course will be held in the Health Research Center building of the
Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI).
COURSE ACCREDITATION:
The Medical College of Wisconsin is approved by the American Psychological
Association to offer 22 Continuing Education (CE) credit hours to
psychologists for this continuing education activity. Physicians may claim
Category 2 CME credit for their participation in this activity. The sponsor
(Medical College of Wisconsin) maintains responsibility for the program.
COURSE WEB SITE:
Information on this course, an online course registration form, and links
describing fMRI at the Medical College of Wisconsin are provided at our WEB
site: http://max.neuro.mcw.edu/~fmri/
REGISTRATION:
Registration fee is $1,000 for the three-day workshop. This fee includes
dinner (Thursday evening), lunch, coffee and soft drinks, transportation
between the hotel and course site, and handouts. Access to the AFNI
software package is available without charge.
A reduced enrollment fee of $650 will be provided to a limited number of
students (graduate/medical students, postdoctoral fellows). A letter from
the student's mentor is required to verify student status as well as a
completed student registration form available by contacting Tammy Muth at
tmuth@mcw.edu or 414-454-5661.
Cost of lodging and additional meals will be assumed by the participant. A
block of rooms ($74/night) has been reserved at a downtown hotel.
Additional lodging information will be provided upon registration.
Interested individuals should complete the online registration form located
on the course web site (http://max.neuro.mcw.edu/~fmri/) or contact Tammy
Muth at tmuth@mcw.edu or 414-454-5661 (fax: 414-259-9012). Please note that
enrollment will be limited to the first 40 registrants. Registration fee is
refundable minus a $50 processing charge until September 29, 2000; after
this date, fee is nonrefundable.
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Edgar DeYoe. Ph.D.
Dept. Cellular Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy
Medical College of Wisconsin
8701 Watertown Plank Rd. "In the mountains
Milwaukee, WI 53226 we forget to
Ph: 414-456-4920 count the days."
Fax: 414 -456-6517 (Chinese proverb)
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