Resources

Custer consisting of DELL servers, with a total of 12 nodes. Each node contains two Intel Xeon Quad Core E5520 processors, operating at 2.26 GHz, for a total of 96 CPU cores, and 24 GB of RAM for each node, for a total of 288 GB of RAM. Master nodes consisting of a PowerEdge R710 server connected by two Power Connect M6220 at 10 Gbps. Data is stored on a disk array with a total space of 12 TB (RAID 6 + Spare).

THE TECHNIQUE

Electroencephalography (EEG) is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp, produced by the activation of neurons in the brain. In clinical settings, EEG refers to the recording of spontaneous electrical activity of the brain over a short period of time, usually 20–40 minutes, detected by multiple electrodes placed on the scalp. In neurology, the main diagnostic application of EEG is in the case of epilepsy, since epileptic activity can generate abnormalities evident in a standard EEG examination. Derivatives of the EEG technique include evoked potentials (EPs), which involve averaging EEG activity synchronized with the presentation of a stimulus of some kind (visual, somatosensory, or auditory). Event-related potentials refer to averaged EEG responses synchronized with the more complex processing of stimuli; this technique is used in cognitive science, cognitive psychology, and psychophysiological research.

FACILITIES
EEG BrainAmp

2x BrainAmp MR plus (32 channels per unit)
1x BrainAmp MR (32 channels)
SyncBox for simultaneous EEG and fMRI recordings
BrainAmp ExG MR (8 channels)
MRI Sensors: Brain Products launches the highly anticipated GSR (Galvanic Skin Response)
2x BrainCap MR 64 channels
1x BrainCap MR 32 channels
2x PowerPack (rechargeable MRI compatible battery)
BrainVision Recorder (recording software)
BrainVision RecView (real-time data analysis software)
BrainVision Analyzer 2 (analysis software)
Lumina LP-400 controller with fiber optic response pad

Eye Tracking Facility ISCAN 07-050-0401

• Low Cost Complete Head Mounted and Remote Eye Tracking Laboratories
• Mini Remote Eye Imaging Assembly for Driving/Cockpit Applications
• Ultra High Resolution, PCI bus High Speed Eye Tracking Processors
• fMRI Compatible Eye Imaging/Tracking and Stimulus Display Systems

EEG Geodesic

• HydroCel Geodesic Sensor Net (HCGSN) 130 with 128 channels (available for pediatric through adults)
• Mac Pro + MacBookPro Acquisition Computer
• Desktop + Laptop Stimuli Presentation with E-Prime software
• Different LCD display monitor for EEG data recorder and for Stimuli Presentation
• Net Amps 300 amplifier
• Net Station software for EEG acquisition
• Photic stimulator (for Routine packages)

THE TECHNIQUE

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a noninvasive neuroimaging technique that detects changes in neuronal activity indirectly by means of the accompanying hemodynamic changes. The most popular fMRI approach currently employed is the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal, sensitive to changes in cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. The origin of the BOLD signal variation is related to the magnetic properties of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin: hemoglobin is diamagnetic when oxygenated and paramagnetic when deoxygenated. The presence of deoxyhemoglobin alters the local magnetic susceptibility, creating magnetic field distortions within and around the blood vessels. This microscopically inhomogeneous field produces a slight reduction in the local MR signal. Following increased neural activity in the brain, the local cerebral blood flow increases much more than the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. Because the local blood is more oxygenated, there is less deoxyhemoglobin present, the magnetic field distortions are reduced, and the local MR signal increases slightly with activation. FMRI allow to map patterns of spontaneous activity in the brain during resting state or to map patterns of activation during performance of specific tasks or sensory stimulation. BOLD contrast functional images are usually acquired by means of T2* weighted echo-planar sequences, allowing whole brain coverage with a sampling rate of about 2 s. Then the time course of each image voxel is analyzed to detect signal variations that show a significant correlation with the experimental paradigm alternating rest and task periods or are related to spontaneous activity. Model driven or data driven functional image analysis approaches can be used in order to obtain statistical activation maps that are usually superimposed on high resolution structural images for visualization purpose.

FACILITIES

• MR1 - Philips 1.5T Achieva XR with
• SENSE Neurovascular coil 18 elements
• SENSE Head coil 8 elements
• Transmit Receive Head coil
• Physiologic Monitoring Systems
• SENSE Flex coil
• Fiber Optic Responses
• Optoma W304M Projector System

• MR2 - Philips 3T Ingenia dStream with 
• dS Base 3.0T
• dS HeadNeck 3.0T
• Bobina dS Torso
• Bobina dS Flex-M
• Bobina dS Head 32 canali - 3.0T
• ScanTools Pro
• 3D SpineVIEW
• MultiVaneXD
• BOLD Specialist
• FiberTrak Specialist
• SWI Specialist
• 3D ASL Neuro Specialist
• MultiBand SENSE
• Spectroscopy Specialist
• NeuroScience Specialist
• mDIXON XD TSE-FFE Specialist
• mDIXON Body Fat Quant Specialist
• Cardiac Expert Specialist
• 4D-TRAK XD
• Cardiac Quant
• Coronary Acquisition
• 3D PelvisVIEW
• lmaging ZOOM Diffusion
• Whole Body Specialist
• PPU Wireless Phisiological Acquisition

• EIKI LC XG-250L Projector System with additional lens
• Eye Tracking ISCAN 07-050-0401 system
• NordicNeuroLab Audio System with Headphones and Communication Console
• BrainVision BrainAmp MR plus 32 ch & 64 ch (compatible amplifiers and flagship amplifier series. Combined EEG & fMRI acquisition by placing the amplifiers directly inside the MR scanner bore ensures maximum data quality and respects safety aspects)
• Lumina LP-400 controller system with two different Fibre Optical respond pads
• Two Digitimer High Voltage Stimulator model DS7A
• Desktop computer for EEG data recording
• Desktop computer for visualization stimuli presentation
• Desktop computer for eye tracking data recording

THE TECHNIQUE

Infrared Imaging (IR) is a technique that permits the measurements of the thermal infrared emission of the human body. By means of specific detectors sensitive to the wavelength of such radiation, it is possible to non-invasively map and evaluate the temperature distribution of bodies to detect abnormalities or impaired functions.

Medical infrared imaging (also known as medical thermography) started back to 70’. The results were modest, probably because of low performances of the devices available. Over the very last years, an impressive development of a new generation of digital and computerised infrared cameras has open new possibilities and applications which are based on the dynamic and real-time recording of the time-evolution of the temperature distribution, thus making possible a functional approach to the study of the human body temperature and its control (functional infrared (fIR) imaging).

Thermal infrared imaging: the false-colours scheme displays the modification of the skin temperature distribution during an athletic exercise.

FACILITIES

• Thermal IR Camera FLIR SC3000, 320x200, QWIP, NETD: 20 mK  @ 30°C
• Thermal IR Camera FLIR SC660, 640x480, Microbolometer, NETD: 30 mK @ 30°C
• Thermal IR Camera FLIR A655sc, 640x480, Microbolometer, NETD: 30 mK @ 30°C (one used for teaching and training)

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

• Full PowerLab ADInstruments System
• Wireless Detectors for Psychophysics
• Computers for triggered stimulation
• Software for preparing and administering the stimuli

THE TECHNIQUE

Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) measures are based on the evaluation of the optical properties of the tissues and their dependency on physiological parameters connected to the cortical brain activity. In the spectral range between 600nm and 900nm, oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin are the main sources responsible for the absorption of radiation. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the optical properties of the tissue and to assess the concentration of these two cromophores by making measures in this range of wavelengths. During the last ten years, NIRS has become a useful tool for performing neuroimaging studies.

FACILITIES

A 32-channels Imagent ISS NIRS system for neuro-imaging will be shortly installed into the lab and used for studying the development of brain functions in infants.

FACILITIES

• MR1 - Philips 1.5T Achieva XR with
  • SENSE Neurovascular coil 18 elements
  • SENSE Head coil 8 elements
  • Transmit Receive Head coil
  • Physiologic Monitoring Systems
  • SENSE Flex coil

• MR2 - Philips 3T Ingenia dStream with
  • Bobina dS Torso
  • Bobina dS Flex-M
  • Bobina dS Head 32 canali - 3.0T
  • ScanTools Pro
  • 3D SpineVIEW
  • MultiVaneXD
  • BOLD Specialist
  • FiberTrak Specialist
  • SWI Specialist
  • 3D ASL Neuro Specialist
  • MultiBand SENSE
  • Spectroscopy Specialist
  • mDIXON XD TSE-FFE Specialist
  • mDIXON Body Fat Quant Specialist
  • Cardiac Expert Specialist
  • 4D-TRAK XD
  • Cardiac Quant
  • Coronary Acquisition
  • 3D PelvisVIEW
  • lmaging ZOOM Diffusion
  • Whole Body Specialist

THE TECHNIQUE

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) consists in the study of the magnetic fields associated with physiological and pathological activity in the brain. In fact, all electrical currents - in power lines or brain cells - generate a surrounding magnetic field. The pattern of this magnetic fields can be used to determine the location, orientation and strength of the currents that generates it. The elementary “magnetic field generator” of the brain is the single neuron. When a sufficiently large population of neurons receives synaptic inputs within a short time-window, the dendritic currents will sum up, producing a field which is large enough to be detected outside the head. The neuromagnetic fields are very small, typically in the order of 100 fT. To successfully detect neuromagnetic fields, superconducting devices must be used. These devices, namely SQUIDs (Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices), were introduces in the late 1960s and are the components present in every MEG system. Today's whole-head MEG systems contain a large number of SQUIDs (between 100 to 300) connected to sensor coils in a configuration roughly following the curvature of the head. In addition to a very sensitive device, a successful MEG measurements demands for a magnetically quiet environment. To that, MEG system needs to be placed in a magnetic shielded room. The main advantage of the neuromagnetic method over the more traditional measurement of brain electrical activity, such as electroencephalography (EEG), is mainly due to the "transparency" of biological tissues to magnetic field. This allows a better resolution in identifying the location and strength of the sources responsible for the specific activity under investigation, of course by the use of suitable algorithms for data analysis. The good spatial resolution of the neuromagnetic method therefore permits to obtain a real functional imaging of the brain. This information may be integrated with the anatomical imaging as given by CT, MRI or metabolic imaging as given by PET and functional MRI.

MEG AT ITAB

Within ITAB an MEG system have been developed in the frame of an international co-operation among research institutions and companies. The system features 165 sensors, 153 of which displaced on a helmet-like surface. The sensing elements are integrated dc-SQUID magnetometers, featuring a field noise of about 5 fT Hz-1/2. The system is placed inside a five layer magnetic shielded room.

The Psychophysics facility allows the implementation of behavioral experiments on normal subjects and neuropsyhological patients, the preliminary testing of stimuli and procedures to be later carried out with other core facilities (e.g., fMRI, MEG, etc) as well as the training of experimental subjects/patients.

The facility is equipped with hardware-software platforms allowing the delivery of visual and auditory stimulation, the registration of subject’s responses with different effectors (hand, foot and vocal responses), and the tracking of 3D motion of body segments (through an electromagnetic device: 3 Space Fastrak, Polhemus Navigation; Colchester, VT, USA). Eye-movements can be also tracked, through a remote monocular infrared eye tracker (ISCAN ETL 400; RK-826PCI), that uses a video-based, dark pupil-to-cornea reflection method to record eye positions during picture and scene analysis, as well as to simply verify the fixation maintenance. With a sampling rate of 120 Hz, it allows a high resolution recording of the eye position and pupil size in real time with an accuracy tipically better than 0.3° over a +/- 20° horizontal and vertical range. A plexiglass panel with LEDs mounted on is available for the study of reaching movements towards visual targets in space.

Stimuli are usually generated by a control computer located outside the psychophisics room, running the custom software GagLab (developed by Gaspare Galati at the Department of Psychology, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy), implemented in MATLAB (The MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, USA) using Cogent 2000 (developed at FIL and ICN, UCL, London, UK) and Cogent Graphics (developed by John Romaya at the LON, Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, UCL, London, UK), and allowing time-locked presentation of visual and auditory stimuli with millisecond timing accuracy, synchronized with fMRI, TMS, EEG, MEG. Other softwares are also used, as E-Prime.

A wooden simulation of the fMRI magnet bore is also available in order to reproduce the fMRI setting in a way as much as possible similar to what subjects will experience (i.e., laying down on a narrow semi-cylinder).

PICTURE LEGENDS:

1. Setup for a typical experiment involving TMS, eye tracking, visual stimulation and button presses
2. Experimenter’s workstations allow real-time control of subject’s behavior and eye movements
3. Setup for the study of reaching movements towards LEDs mounted on a plexiglass panel

THE TECHNIQUE

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method to excite neurons in the brain: weak electric currents are induced in the tissue by rapidly changing magnetic fields (electromagnetic induction).

TMS can be used to complement other neuroscience methods and provides an unique methodology for determining the true functional significance of the results of neuroimaging studies and the casual relationship between focal brain activity and behaviour.

FACILITIES

• TMS Magstim Super Rapid²
• TMS Magstim BiStim²
• Two Double 70mm Alpha Coil
• Single 90mm Remote Control Coil
• D360 8-Channel Patient Amplifier (Electroencephalography, Electromyography or Evoked Potential recording)
• CED Power 1401 (high performance data acquisition and analysis interface)
• Polhemus Fastrack Neuronavigation System (Four Short Ranger TX1 +  8" Stylus)
• SofTAX Software for the neuronavigation (this allow to neuronavigate on subject’s brain also with no MPRAGE).
• Mechanical arm (to maintain the handle of the coil angled in the right position)
• Desktop computer for visual stimuli presentation