Advanced Brain MR Imaging
Alberto Bizzi, Micheal D. Phillips, Organizers

Sunday 7 May, 08:30 - 17:45


Overview:
This one-day course will provide a comprehensive overview of advanced brain MR imaging techniques, including high field imaging, high resolution cortical imaging, volumetric imaging and image analysis, parallel imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking, functional MRI, and functional connectivity. The course is directed at neuroradiologists, neuroimaging researchers, neuroscientists, and imaging physicists interested in broadening their knowledge of state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:
• Describe and define the basic concepts, physics and analysis of volumetry, perfusion, diffusion, and functional MR imaging of the brain;
• Recognize the technical requirements and potential pitfalls of advanced MR techniques such as parallel imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, perfusion imaging, and functional MRI;
• List the strengths and weaknesses of individual advanced brain imaging techniques and compare relative merits of different approaches. For example, participants should be able to compare the relative merits of susceptibility based and arterial spin labeling methods for perfusion imaging;
• Recognize physiological MR parameters of changes occurring with brain development and aging;
• Select and identify patient management conditions in which advanced MR techniques are clinically useful and appropriate; and
• Describe the practical nuts and bolts required to apply these methods in clinical practice or clinical research.

Audience Description:
This course is designed for neuroradiologists and neuroimaging physicians including neurologists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists, neuroscientists, physicists, and biomedical engineers interested in broadening their understanding of the principles and application of advanced brain MR imaging. The level of the course is intermediate. It is designed for participants with a basic to intermediate understanding of the topics involved.