NeuRA Imaging News

August 31, 2011
fMRI programming request
In addition to the MRI Scanner, NeuRA Imaging now offers a programming service for researchers who have SMP approval. For a fee, fMRI projects needing stimulation Presentation programs can be structured and programmed subject to availability of the programmer. See Request for MRI programming form, under 'How Do I Get Access' for more information.

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August 16, 2011
Research MRI Naming structure
Just a reminder that data will not be accepted by Samurai for storage and later access if it does not comply with the correct naming structure as previously outlined (see news June 1, 2011).

Taking data off the system in PAR/REC format puts an additional load on radiography staff. If at all possible we would encourage users to export data to SAMURAI (as DICOM or NIFTI). We are currently trying to understand the reasons why users require PAR/REC format and will be talking to user groups in the next few weeks about their file format requirements in order to develop other options that will enable users to get data immediately after their session in a fashion that doesn't require further radiographer time. 

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July 19, 2011
New 8-channel head coil
Philips have recently replaced our 8-channel head coil. The previous head coil was functioning within specifications but it was found that the diode switching times were slowed. The new coil has been in use since Monday.

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June 1, 2011
Psycho update
A couple of weeks ago a brand new Psycho was installed. This installation now has two distinct drives, one for all the programs which is refreshed each night and another for data.
In addition, a switch has been added (and sits on the desk) which enables the use of an external laptop. With this now in place, all new connections can be done on the desk without plugging (and unplugging) from the back of the Psycho. This will prevent cables from being mis-used and ensure the longevity of the machine.
Over the coming weeks the machine will be encased in a box to raise it off the floor, and additional cables will make it easier to connect the TTL pulse and the button boxes to an external laptop.
Research MRI Naming Structure The “project name” can only contain alphabetical characters. 

It can not contain:

• Numerical characters [0-9]
• Wildcard, symbol characters e.g. ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ - = + ~ ` ? [ ] { } 
• Delimiter or escape characters e.g. / \ | , . ; : ‘ “
• Spaces Patient name(s) or initials.

Failure to comply with this nomenclature will mean that your files will not be stored on Samurai.

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April 19, 2011
NeuRA Terms & conditions updated
The terms and conditions of use of the MRI Scanner at NeuRA Imaging has been recently updated. 
Please find the document in the "How Do I Get Access" section of the website or via direct link here.

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March 16, 2011
MRI users group meeting
We would like to instigate regular MRI users group meetings for users of the NeuRA Imaging Facility to enable a conduit for user feedback and for users to find out about operations, forward plans, as well as information about the research system.
The meeting has been scheduled for 11am Tuesday April 5, 2010 and will take place in the NeuRA Seminar Room.

A nominated person from each research group should attend the meeting who will be responsible for letting us know issues that the group might have, as well as being the first point of contact for the group when they have questions about operations.
Publications
A reminder to let the facility know (Michael Green) when any new publications using the NeuRA Imaging Facility are published. 

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32-channel head coil and more

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qASL patch and MEGA-PRESS implementation 

The quantitative ASL patch for 3.1.1.2 has been installed and is operational.Richard Edden will be visiting NeuRA. He will be installing and testing a MEGA-PRESS patch and giving a seminar in NeuRA Seminar room (formerly POWMRI).

"Edited MRS of GABA: inhibition in functional neuroimaging and behavior."
This talk will discuss recent multimodal experiments integrating edited MRS of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA with functional MRI, magnetoencephalography (MEG) and behavioural psychophysics. Edited MRS of GABA is sufficiently robust and sensitive to detect individual differences in GABA concentration in a given region of the brain, such as visual cortex or frontal eye field. Thus, within a healthy adult population, it is possible to investigate the role of GABA in various processes by studying the implications of differing GABA concentration on functional outcomes as diverse as the frequency of gamma oscillations, the size of the BOLD signal change in fMRI and behavioural thresholds of localised function measured by psychophysics.

POWMRI is funding the upgrade of the 3T Acheiva MRI to a TX (multitransmit) system. This upgrade, (May 10-12) involves: 

1. Replacement of the body coil with a TX compatible body coil (completed in March 2010) 

2. Increasing the current single transmit to a multitransmit (8 (2 real) channel) system. 

3. Increasing the current 16 channel receive system to 32 channels. 

4. Upgrade of software to version 3.1.1.2.
5. Acquisition of a 32 channel head coil.

We currently do not have a definite date for delivery of the 32 channel head coil (estimate August 2010).
Note that for most users (neuro) the system will still operate in "old" (single transmit, 8 Ch receive) mode.
32 Channel receive will be possible following arrival of the new coil. We do not yet have a start date for neuro-multitransmit.
We will be seeking to make 3.1.1.2 compatible patches for specialist applications available as soon as possible.