MCW --- Functional Imaging Research Center --- fMRI Course Description

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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging An Introductory Course June 5-7, 2008

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This three-day workshop, sponsored by the MCW General Clinical Research Center, is designed to introduce the basic and clinical researcher to the theoretical and practical issues involved in conducting Functional MRI experiments. Participants will gain an understanding of the physiological principles underlying the fMRI signal change, as well as the theoretical and practical considerations in research design. The course will include firsthand exposure to the scanning environment and data collection procedures. Participants will be provided conceptual and hands-on experience with data treatment and statistical analysis. At the completion of this course, it is expected that participants will be better prepared to critique, design, and conduct fMRI studies; appreciate limitations and potentials of current fMRI technology and techniques; and better understand the expertise required to establish an fMRI research program.

Course material will be presented in the form of lectures, problem-based learning activities, involvement in an actual fMRI scanning session, and instruction in the use of fMRI analysis software. Extensive handouts will be provided. Specific topics to be covered by this course include:

An introduction to MR physics for the non-physicist
Physiological principles underlying the fMRI signal change
Various MR pulse sequences used in fMRI experiments
Influence of magnet strength and gradient/rf coils in detecting fMRI signals
Limits and trade-offs associated with spatial and temporal resolution
Detection of potential artifacts in the fMRI signal
Issues related to safety and to studying various subject populations
Delivering stimuli in the MR scanner environment
Recording behavioral and physiological responses in the scanner
Preventing and/or correcting head motion
Design of task- and drug-activated fMRI experiments
Extraction of functional images from fMRI time series data
Defining statistical significance in functional images
Displaying results in three dimensional space
Techniques for comparing results across individuals

The course is designed to provide the participant with intensive, hands-on instruction. As a result, enrollment in the course will be limited to 45 people.

FMRI AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN

In 1992, the Medical College of Wisconsin was one of the first medical centers (along with Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Minnesota) to demonstrate the BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) contrast mechanism, which forms the basis for most of the fMRI research conducted today. Since this initial discovery, MCW has been a leader in fMRI research. The multi-disciplinary research effort has been supported by an NIMH program project grant, enabling the development of novel fMRI technology and a complete software package for analysis of fMRI data. This software (Analysis of Functional NeuroImages; AFNI ) is currently being used by over 300 registered users at research centers throughout the world. AFNI will be described in detail as part of this course and is available at no cost to research institutions.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course is designed for basic and clinical researchers interested in applying fMRI technology. Knowledge of MR physics, signal processing, or the UNIX operating system is not a prerequisite.

COURSE SCHEDULE for 2008


Day 1 (Thursday, June 5, 2008)
8:15	Bus Departs from Radisson Hotel to MCW
8:40-9:00	Registration and Continental Breakfast (at MCW)
9:00-9:15	Welcome and Introduction - Jeffrey Binder, MD
9:15-9:45	Mechanisms of Neuro-Vascular Coupling - Andrew Greene, PhD
9:45-11:00	Introduction to fMRI Physics - Kathleen Schmainda, PhD
11:00-11:15	Break
11:15-12:00	fMRI Data Acquisition - Robert Prost, PhD
12:00-1:00	Lunch
1:15-1:45	Stimulus Presentation and Response Recording in the MRI Environment - Thomas Prieto
1:45-2:30	Introduction to fMRI Design and Statistical Analysis - Stephen Rao, PhD
2:30-3:15	Experiment Design and Analysis, Part 1 - Rasmus Birn, PhD
3:15-3:30	Break
3:30-4:15	Experimental Design and Analysis, Part 2 - Rasmus Birn, PhD
4:30	Bus from CMW to Radisson
6:00	Social Dinner


Day 2 (Friday, June 6, 2008)
8:15	Bus Departs from Radisson Hotel to MCW
8:40-9:00	Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:30	MRI Safety and Subject/Patient Factors - Thomas Hammeke, PhD
9:30-10:15	Got Time? Using Temporal Properties of fMRI - Edgar DeYoe, PhD
10:15-10:30	Break
10:30-11:15	Integration of Behavioral and Imaging Data - Jeffrey Binder, MD
11:15-12:00	Latest Developments in fMRI - Rasmus Birn, PhD
12:00-1:00	Lunch
1:00-1:30	Applications of fMRI in Presurgical Mapping - Jeffrey Binder, MD
1:30-2:00	Applications of fMRI in Neurodegenerative Disease - Stephen Rao, PhD
2:00-2:30	Multimodal MRI Visualization for Clinical Applications - Edgar DeYoe, PhD
2:30-3:00	Surface-Based Approaches to Analyzing Cortical Structure and Function - John Harwell/Donna Dierker
3:00-3:30	Break
3:30-5:00	Small Group Discussion (Jeffrey Binder, Rasmus Birn, Edgar DeYoe, Einat Liebenthal, Stephen Rao, Ziad Saad)
5:15-6:00	Reception (light hors d'oeuvres)
6:00-8:00	fMRI Scanning Session/Flat Map Demonstration
8:00	Bus from MCW to Hotel


Day 3 (Saturday, June 7, 2008)
8:15	Bus Departs from Radisson Hotel to MCW
8:40-9:00	Continental Breakfast
9:00-0:45	AFNI - Ziad Saad, PhD
9:45-11:45	Small Group AFNI Sessions
11:45-12:00	Review of Morning Sessions - Ziad Saad, PhD
12:00-1:00	Lunch
1:00-1:30	Group Analyses - Ziad Saad, PhD
1:30-3:45	Small Group AFNI Sessions
3:45-4:00	Review of Afternoon Sessions, Course Evaluation and Conclusion - Ziad Saad & Jeff Binder
4:00	Bus from MCW to Hotel

2007 COURSE FACULTY (2008 Faculty will be posted soon)


Jeffrey Binder, MD (Course Director)	Professor of Neurology and Biophysics (MCW) Interim Director, Functional Imaging Research Center
Rasmus Birn, PhD	Staff Scientist, Section of Functional Imaging Methods Laboratory of Brain & Cognition (National Institute of Mental Health)
Edgar DeYoe, PhD	Professor of Radiology, Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy; Associate Professor of Biophysics; Graduate Faculty, Programs in Cell & Developmental Biology, Neuroscience and Biophysics (MCW)
Donna Dierker, MS	Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis
Andrew Greene, PhD	Professor of Physiology; Director, Center for Biotechnology & Bioengineering; Director, National Center for Proteomics Research and Developement (MCW)
Thomas Hammeke, PhD	Professor of Neurology; Co-Chief, Neuropsychology Division (MCW)
John Harwell, MS	Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis
Einat Liebenthal, PhD	Assistant Professor of Neurology (MCW)
Thomas Prieto, PhD	Associate Professor of Neurology (MCW)
Robert Prost, PhD	Assistant Professor of Radiology (MCW)
Stephen Rao, PhD	Ralph and Luci Shey Chair Director, Shey Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging (Cleveland Clinic)
Ziad Saad, PhD	Scientific and Statistical Computing Core (National Institute of Health)
Kathleen Schmainda, PhD	Associate Professor of Biophysics (MCW)

COURSE LOCATION

The course will be held at a nearby hotel and the Health Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee, WI).

COURSE ACCREDITATION

The Medical College of Wisconsin is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Medical College of Wisconsin maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Psychologists may earn 19 credits for full attendance.

REGISTRATION

The registration fee for the three-day workshop ($1,050.00) includes dinner (Thursday evening), lunch, coffee and soft drinks, transportation between the hotel and course site, a coursebook, and handouts. Access to the AFNI software package is available without charge.

A reduced enrollment fee ($800) will be provided to a limited number of students (graduate/medical students, postdoctoral fellows). A letter from the student's mentor is required to verify student status as well as a completed registration form below. ALL STUDENT PLACES ARE CURRENTLY FULL. YOU MAY REGISTER AND BE PLACED ON THE STUDENT WAITING LIST, OR REGISTER AT THE FULL RATE.

The participant will assume cost of lodging and additional meals. A block of hotel rooms will be reserved. Additional lodging information will be provided upon registration.

Interested individuals should complete the online registration form or contact Karen Outzen at koutzen@mcw.edu or 414-456-4664 (fax: 414-456-6562). Please note that enrollment will be limited to the first 45 registrants. Registration fee is refundable minus a $50 processing charge two weeks prior to course date; after this date, the fee is non-refundable.
The course is designed to provide the participant with intensive, hands-on instruction. As a result, enrollment in the course will be limited to 45 people.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

An Introductory Course