WEEKEND EDUCATIONAL COURSE
Translating Physics To The Clinic: Diffusion, Perfusion And Functional Imaging

Organizers: Xavier G. Golay, Ph.D., Meng Law, M.D.
Skill level:  Intermediate

Sunday, 4 May 2008

Overview:

This one-day course will provide an overview of each of the following MRI techniques: measurement of brain water diffusion parameters (using diffusion tensor imaging), measurement of brain perfusion (arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility contrast methods), and brain mapping (using blood oxygenation level dependent - BOLD or other vascular-related techniques). These methods will first be presented by researchers who are currently developing or using these techniques for research purposes mainly, followed by a series of physicians who will describe how each technique can be successfully integrated into daily clinical practice. This course will therefore serve as a bridge on how to effectively translate and manage new techniques in a typical busy radiological academic or private practice.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

  • Describe recent advances in the MR techniques related to brain functional imaging;
  • Explain the basic principles of the technologies behind these methods;
  • Apply these modern imaging techniques in their daily clinical practice; and
  • Explain how the principles of new techniques get integrated into diagnostic imaging protocols.

    Audience Description:

    This course is designed for workers in the fields of neurophysiology, brain mapping, cognitive neurosciences and radiology, including graduate students, post-docs, and clinical residents. Some MRI experience is required, with a reasonable understanding of basic MR imaging techniques.

         
      Diffusion Imaging  
    8:00 DTI: Concepts, Quantification, Standardization & Quality Issues Yoram Cohen, Ph.D.
    8:30 DTI: Clinical Applications Brain Tumors Elias R. Melhem, M.D., Ph.D.
    9:00 DTI: Clinical Applications Neurodegenerative/Psychiatric Disorders Seung-Koo Lee, M.D.
    9:30 DTI in Traumatic Brain Injury / Novel Methods in DTI Pratik Mukherjee, M.D., Ph.D.
    10:00 Break  
    10:00 - 10:15 Meet the Teachers  
         
    10:30 Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Clinical Applications in Children Pek-Lan Khong, M.D.
      Perfusion And Permeability Imaging  
    11:00 Perfusion and Permeability Imaging: Concepts, Quantification and Quality Issues Timothy P.L. Roberts, Ph.D.
    11:30 Perfusion and Permeability Imaging: Clinical Applications Brain Tumors Alan Jackson, Ph.D.
    12:00 Break  
    12:00 - 12:15 Meet the Teachers  
         
    13:30 Diffusion, Perfusion and Permeability Imaging: Clinical Applications Cerebrovascular Disease Patricia Desmond, M.D.
    14:00 Update on Clinical Trials in Cerebrovascular Disease Howard A. Rowley, M.D.
    14:30 Clinical Applications of ASL Methods Jeroen Hendrikse
    15:00 Break  
    15:00 - 15:15 Meet the Teachers  
         
      Functional MRI And Connectivity  
    15:30 fMRI: Concept, Quantification, Standardization and Quality Issues Robert Turner, Ph.D.
    16:00 Beyond BOLD in fMRI: VASO and ASL Hanzhang Lu, Ph.D.
    16:30 Functional Neuroanatomy: A review of Cortical Anatomy for FMRI John L. Ulmer, M.D.
    17:00 Functional MRI: How To Do It In Your Practice Stefan Sunaert, M.D., Ph.D.
    17:30 Adjournment  
    17:30 - 17:45 Meet the Teachers