Research Facilities
GE 3T Signa® HDx MR scanner
(Room E120, Radiology Building)
This system has an actively shielded short-bore (2.06 m width x 1.72 m length) magnet, a fast gradient system that provides high-speed brain imaging for fMRI as well as regular body imaging, a data acquisition system supporting up to 32 channels, an 8-channel head coil and other coils for this platform, a powerful volume reconstruction engine that enables virtually real-time image generation even when massive parallel imaging datasets are involved, as well as multinuclear spectroscopy hardware.
The short-bore magnet provides a low incidence of claustrophobia. The gradient rise time (150 T/m/s) and peak gradient strength (50 mT/m per axis) are among the best in the industry for whole-body systems. Parallel imaging technology allows EPI images to be acquired with higher temporal resolution and with less distortion for fMRI studies and other EPI-based image acquisitions.
This MRI system is capable of running fMRI studies in a real-time mode, in which an investigator can assess the data quality during scanning, and see the activation maps after each functional run. MRI research at MSU also benefits from a close collaborative relationship and formal research agreement with GE. All technical aspects of the scanner are accessible to MRI physicists, including the pulse programming module (EPIC).
Other equipment
The CIRC has a high-performance PC equipped with E-Prime (Psychology Software Tools, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA) and Matlab to control visual and auditory stimulus presentation and to record participant responses. The computer is used to control audio and or video playback in synchronization with MRI scan timing.
A 1024x768 32-inch LCD monitor (Salvagione Design, Sausalito, CA) placed at the back of the magnet room is available to meet the demands of various visually-orientated fMRI studies. The Serene Sound Audio System (Resonance Technology Inc, Northridge, CA) is available for studies requiring auditory stimuli. A BrainLogics Fiber Optic Button Response System with a pair of 5-button MR-compatible keypads (Psychology Software Tools, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA) is used to record participant responses.
In addition, a mock scanner is available. This device presents the look, feel and sound of our MRI scanner. Exposure to the mock scanner prior to actual scanning helps subjects habituate to the scanning environment.
Data and Image processing
The CIRC has a dedicated server operated by a Linux system equipped with dual processors (3.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM and 4 TB of disk space) to handle all the data storage and analysis. The data is routinely backed up to a tape drive. CIRC also has a few Linux workstations and PCs for investigators and students to process data and prepare fMRI stimulus paradigms.