The
High-field MRI Laboratory houses the 4 T whole body scanners (Varian/INOVA).
This instrument allows us to, non-invasively, measure the physiology,
function and chemistry of tissues in vivo. In detail, the magnet is
superconducting (1.05 meter (m) inner diameter; Siemens), and the scanner is
equipped with whole body, actively shielded, echo-planar-capable gradients
(Siemens Sonata). The nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR) system includes two full broad-band radio frequency (RF) channels,
each with its own Advantech-AMT solid-state power amplifier; one with 7
kilo-Watts (kW) and one with 4 kW peak pulse power. The RF and
gradient-pulse programming components allow tremendous flexibility in
modulating both the amplitudes and phases of the radiofrequency in each
channel, and the arbitrary gradient pulse-shaping in each direction of the
gradient. The RF receiver section contains analogical digital converters
(ADCs) with a bandwidth of 500 kilo-Hertz (kHz). We developed and customized
the fast imaging sequences, including echo-planar imaging (EPI) for our fMRI
studies.
Our fMRI research with our 4 Tesla MRI scanner is oriented towards
probing basic cognitive functions, and delimiting the effects of
psycho-stimulants on the brain’s function. We extensively employ standard
paradigms in our studies, such as visual attention (VA) (mental tracking of
moving balls) and working memory (WM) (sequential letter model). More
recently, we began exploring a new area of research, the simultaneous
multimodality combination of TMS and fMRI, that holds considerable promise
for expanding our understanding of the brain’s functions and responses, and
may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Last Modified: February 1, 2008 Please forward all questions about this site to:
Elisabeth Caparelli
One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily
funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven
National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental
sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also
builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and
government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by
Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University,
the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science
and technology organization.
The
High-field MRI Laboratory houses the 4 T whole body scanners (Varian/INOVA).
This instrument allows us to, non-invasively, measure the physiology,
function and chemistry of tissues in vivo. In detail, the magnet is
superconducting (1.05 meter (m) inner diameter; Siemens), and the scanner is
equipped with whole body, actively shielded, echo-planar-capable gradients
(Siemens Sonata). The nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR) system includes two full broad-band radio frequency (RF) channels,
each with its own Advantech-AMT solid-state power amplifier; one with 7
kilo-Watts (kW) and one with 4 kW peak pulse power. The RF and
gradient-pulse programming components allow tremendous flexibility in
modulating both the amplitudes and phases of the radiofrequency in each
channel, and the arbitrary gradient pulse-shaping in each direction of the
gradient. The RF receiver section contains analogical digital converters
(ADCs) with a bandwidth of 500 kilo-Hertz (kHz). We developed and customized
the fast imaging sequences, including echo-planar imaging (EPI) for our fMRI
studies. 
Our fMRI research with our 4 Tesla MRI scanner is oriented towards
probing basic cognitive functions, and delimiting the effects of
psycho-stimulants on the brain’s function. We extensively employ standard
paradigms in our studies, such as visual attention (VA) (mental tracking of
moving balls) and working memory (WM) (sequential letter model). More
recently, we began exploring a new area of research, the simultaneous
multimodality combination of TMS and fMRI, that holds considerable promise
for expanding our understanding of the brain’s functions and responses, and
may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
