Joint Annual Meeting ISMRM-ESMRMB 2014 ○ 10-16 May 2014 ○ Milan, Italy
SUNRISE EDUCATIONAL COURSE
Absolute Beginners Guide to Neuroimaging Methods
SKILL LEVEL: Basic
ORGANIZERS: David L. Buckley, Ph.D. & James J. Pekar, Ph.D.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
 
OVERVIEW
Two didactic lectures will cover the theory of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) methods at any level. The first lecture will describe how to sensitize the signal to the diffusion of water molecules in tissue, from the concept of diffusion weighted imaging to that of the diffusion tensor. The second lecture will provide an introduction to DWI analysis, including approaches appropriate in different contexts, such as native space to group analysis. The main methods for measuring cerebral perfusion will be introduced in two presentations at an introductory level. In the first presentation, the acquisition and post-processing of arterial spin labeling MRI will be explained. The second lecture will provide an introduction to contrast agent-based methods for measuring perfusion and permeability (dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI). Two didactic lectures will cover functional MRI (FMRI) at an introductory level. The first lecture will describe how brain activity can be detected indirectly from changes to local blood flow and the canonical approach to FMRI experiments. The second lecture will provide an introduction to fMRI analysis, including pre-processing steps, model construction and statistical analysis.
 
TARGET AUDIENCE
This course is aimed at research scientists and clinicians who would like to be exposed to various MR neuroimaging approaches. It is expected to provide attendees with a basic understanding of fundamental as well as practical aspects of these techniques, benefiting their clinical and/or research programs.
 
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

As a result of attending this course, participants should be able to:
  • Identify the methods used to acquire diffusion data and recognize the desirable properties that different experimental hypotheses.
  • Relate the methods used to acquire and analyze dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI to the relevant physiological information;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of arterial spin labeling (ASL) and identify its strengths and weaknesses;
  • Compare DSC, DCE and ASL and evaluate which method is appropriate for a given application;
  • Identify the physiological processes that underpin functional MRI and how these produce detectable MRI signal changes;
  • Illustrate the canonical approach to functional MRI by constructing an example experimental design; and
  • Diagram the primary steps in functional MRI analysis and recognize conditions under which conventional approaches may be inappropriate.
 

PROGRAM

Moderators: Martijn Froeling, Ph.D., M.Sc. & James J. Pekar, Ph.D.
         
07:00 fMRI Basics Natalia Petridou, D.Sc.
07:25 fMRI Analysis Jerzy A. Bodurka, Ph.D.
         
07:50     Adjournment