Study of New Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods of the Brain

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this investigation is to develop improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and hardware for studying brain function. MRI is a diagnostic tool that provides information about brain chemistry and physiology. This study will evaluate new MRI methods for monitoring blood flow to regions of the brain in response to simple tasks. The MRI machine used in this study is more powerful than those in most hospitals, permitting a higher visual resolution. Normal healthy volunteers over 18 years old may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and questionnaire, and a neurological examination. Study participants will have a yearly MRI scan. For this procedure, the subject lies on a stretcher that is moved into a donut-shaped machine with a strong magnetic field. A lightweight circular or rectangular coil a device that improves the quality of the images may be placed on the head. The scan time varies from 20 minutes to 3 hours; most scans last between 45 and 90 minutes. During the scan, the subject may perform simple tasks, such as listening to tapes, tapping a finger, moving a hand, watching a screen, or smelling a fragrance. More complex tasks may require thinking about tones or pictures and responding to them by pressing buttons. Information from this study will be used to develop better imaging methods that will, in turn, permit a greater understanding of normal and abnormal brain behaviors.

Detailed Description
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Objective The goal of this protocol is to improve spatial resolution and contrast in MRI studies of brain anatomy and function, by developing novel hardware, and image acquisition and reconstruction techniques. Specifically, by improving MRI image quality and manipulating MRI contrast, we aim to better characterize and quantify structural, chemical, and blood flow variations across the brain, and study their relationship with neuronal activity. For this purpose, we will develop and optimize novel MRI techniques on normal, healthy volunteers, and combine these with EEG and recording of other physiological signals. Study Population Any healthy, male or female volunteer 18 years of age and older; the subjects must be capable of understanding the procedures and requirements of this study and be willing to sign an informed consent document. Design This is a technical development study design to develop and evaluate new MR technology for performing MRI and functional MRI in the CNS with novel contrasts and with a high spatial resolution. Outcome Measures The primary outcome of this study will be the ability to acquire anatomical and functional images of the human brain with high spatial resolution, i.e., 200-500 micron and 750-1000 micron respectively. In addition, developed techniques will allow the robust measurement of specific tissue properties, including diffusion, structural anisotropy, iron and myelin content, perfusion, and metabolite concentrations. The relative merits of blood flow and blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) techniques, and their particular spatial and temporal signal characteristics will be established. It will be determined whether information valuable to interpret BOLD fMRI can be derived from EEG and other physiological signals.

Official Title
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Characterization of Brain Morphology and Activity Using Functional and Anatomical MRI Contrast

Conditions
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Healthy Volunteer, Healthy, fMRI, Brain Mapping, Adult

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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INCLUSION CRITERIA: 18 years of age and older in good general health able to understand the procedures and requirements and give informed consent EXCLUSION CRITERIA: All Subjects will undergo a neurological physical and answer the Healthy volunteer form, and the most-recent version of the NMR safety screening A subject will be excluded if he/she: has any metal implant or objects of unknown identity or composition, or if it s known to be non-compatible with MRI, such as pacemakers, medication pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic prosthesis (such as heart valves or cochlear implants), certain orthopedic implants (pins and rods), shrapnel, or small metal fragments in the eye; has claustrophobia; cannot lie comfortably for up to 120 minutes; underwent brain surgery or suffered a head trauma has migraines that require medication; has a psychiatric disorder (defined by the DSM-5); has a neurological lesion or history of neurological disorders; has known hearing problems; is pregnant; has permanent eye liner; has medical problems such as, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pulmonary or airway disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or history of sleep apnea. has a diagnosable substance dependence a member of the NINDS Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging. The contraindications to MRI at the various field strengths are almost identical, except the 7 T also excludes subjects with a ferromagnetic dental crown or a bridge.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 120 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Healthy Volunteer<br>Any healthy, male or female volunteer 18 years of age and older. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate new MR pulse sequences and hardware for performing anatomical and functional MRI in the CNS at, 3.0T, and 7T with a high spatial resolution. | The primary outcome of this study will be the ability to robustly acquire whole brain MRI sensitized to myelin, iron, diffusion, perfusion, and fiber orientation. Perfusion- and BOLD- based fMRI techniques will allow distinguishing between neuronal and systemic vascular signal contributions. In addition, we anticipate the ability to acquire (proton) spectroscopic data at 5mm resolution. | annually | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To develop an understanding of the limits in contrast and resolution of anatomical and functional MRI.To develop an understanding of the merits of high field MRI for the study of brain anatomy and function. | Secondary outcome measure will be an estimate of the relative performance levels of the different field strengths for anatomical, functional and spectroscopic imaging. | annually | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Brain Morphology, Cerebral Blood Volume, Functional Imaging, Development, MEG, Natural History