The Mind Research Network (MRN) offers magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) infrastructure and services. The information Principal Investigator (PIs) need to scan research participants at MRN is outlined below - including descriptions of the equipment, technical support services, as well as policies and procedures for payment, scheduling, and day-of-scan. Links to forms and contacts are listed at the bottom.

RESOURCES

Equipment

MRI – Siemens 3T Trio with Total Imaging Matrix (TIM) Application Suite

Mobile MRI – Siemens Avanto 1.5T Mobile MRI Scanner

MEG – Elekta Neuromag Vector-View 306 channel MEG system

EEG – 128-channel BioSemi ActiveTwo EEG system

Subject-response Device – Mind Input Device

Technical Support and Services
MRN has expert personnel who can provide support in the following areas: project development (e.g., determining scan capabilities and study feasibility), data acquisition, image analysis, and neuroinformatics services. All MRI and MEG scan sessions include the use of a certified licensed MR technologist or an MEG technologist, and training on stimulus delivery equipment. Physicists and engineers are also available to discuss and customize imaging sequences.  

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Requesting Scanner Access*
To request access to the scanners, PIs must first submit their IRB approval letter, study protocol, IRB application and consent forms to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . MRN staff will review the proposal to verify feasibility, as it relates to MRN resources and MRN’s ability to fulfill the study obligation. Upon acceptance of the study, the Scan Administrator will contact the PI to discuss the details of their study plan (e.g., information on payment, scanner safety, scheduling requirements, special research participant needs). Once all requirements have been met, the PI will be notified by the Scan Administrator that they may begin scheduling research participants.

*To request access to the Mobile MRI, please contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pricing and Payment Process
A purchase order must be submitted to MRN Billing before scheduling can begin on any of MRN’s imaging equipment. Service fees are available on the Scan Price Schedule. In addition, PIs can request to receive an itemized quote from the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Payment process for the 3T Trio

Scheduling

Scheduling the 3T Trio MRI

Scheduling the MEG

Scheduling the EEG

Scheduling the Mobile MRI

Day-of-Scan

Once an appointment has been scheduled, the PI is responsible for informing the research participant of the date, time, and location of their appointment. Maps and directions are available on MRN’s website. Research participants should be directed to the reception desk at the clinical end (south entrance) of Pete and Nancy Domenici Hall. The research participant should be advised to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.

For information on what to expect on the day-of-scan click on the link for the respective modality (for the Mobile MRI, contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Day-of-Scan, 3T Trio

Day-of-Scan, MEG

Day-of-Scan, EEG

Data Management and Analysis
All imaging data is securely archived at MRN.

For MR imaging (3T Trio and Mobile), PIs have the option of either having the scan session data analyzed by MRN’s Data Analysis group (arrangements must be made prior to the scanning session with the Scan Administrator), or simply receiving the raw data on a CD. All MRI scans are reviewed by a neuroradiologist to identify incidental findings; this reading is mailed to participants, unless they specifically request not to receive this report. MRN’s This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is available to review scan reports with PIs and research participants.

For the MEG, PIs have the option of either having their data run through the automated analysis pipeline (under development) for basic preprocessing of the data, or simply receiving the raw data on a CD.

Safety
All PIs and staff interacting with research participants at MRN must be CPR certified, listed on an IRB approved protocol, and have taken CITI and HIPAA training.

For all MR imaging, PIs and research personnel who plan to perform or assist with research activities must complete the on-line Scanner Safety Certification. Persons passing the test will receive certification, which is good for two years. In addition, PIs must read and sign MRN’s Memorandum of Agreement for Investigators, which is also valid for one year. A licensed physician must be on site for all MRI scans requiring the administration of intravenous (IV) contrast agent

For MEG, PIs and research personnel who plan to perform or assist with MEG research activities need to be approved to do so by the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

CONTACTS

Scan Administrator, Michael Doty – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-5028

Contracts & Grants Director, Mary Maldonado – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-5028

Billing Administrator, Konni Wallace – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-5028

MRI Manager, Diana South – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-4376

MEG Core Director, Julia Stephen, PhD – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-0280

MEG Technologist, Megan Schendel – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-5028

Medical Director, John Phillips, MD – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-5028

Mobile MRI Core Director, Kent Kiehl, PhD – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 925-4516

MR Research Director, Vince Calhoun, PhD – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (505) 272-1817

FORMS and LINKS

Scan Price Schedule

Scan Credit Request Form

Scanner Safety Certification

Safety Policies for Imaging Researchers

The Trio 32-channel system represents state-of-the-art in MRI hardware. It is capable of BOLD EPI, diffusion-tensor imaging, arteriole spin labeling, perfusion and diffusion imaging, and spectroscopy. With 32 usable receiver channels as standard, the system allows for the use of 4 to 16 current-phased array coils to improve sensitivity and speed of acquisition, and is ready for future coil designs with more than 16 elements. Also installed, are the Biopac MP150 Data Acquisition System (BIOPAC Systems Inc., www.biopac.com) and the GSR EDA Galvanic Skin Response Amplifier (GSR100C; BIOPAC Systems Inc, www.biopac.com) – to provide reliable and consistent real-time monitoring of skin conductance responses.

The Avanto is the most advanced system of this strength in the Siemens product line. It features an ultra-short, 150 cm-long whole-body superconductive 1.5T magnet, with 5th generation active-shielding technology with counter coils, External Interference Shielding and excellent homogeneity (based on 24 plan plot, 50 cm DSV type, 0.8 ppm). The system comes equipped with a 12-element Matrix head coil capable of ultra-fast parallel acquisition in 4- (CP mode), 8- (dual mode) or 12- (triple mode) channel settings. This MR system is integrated into a trailer equipped with functional imaging capabilities.

This 306 channel MEG system is comprised of 204 planar gradiometers and 102 magnetometers and is capable of collecting up to 128 channels of simultaneous EEG data at up to 5 kHz sampling frequency. The planar gradiometers provide sensitivity to sources close to the sensor array whereas the magnetometers provide sensitivity to distant sources, including sources originating from the small head of a child. This provides additional advantages over previous gradiometer-only systems. This system has 24 bit A/D conversion providing the largest dynamic range of currently-available MEG systems.

MRN has a 128-channel BioSemi ActiveTwo electrophysiology system for recording high-density EEG during the performance of cognitive tasks (www.biosemi.com). Electrode caps for four different head sizes are maintained with the system. Acquisition computers use BioSemi software to record EEG data and all stimulus and behavioral response codes for later analysis. Software from Neurobehavioral Systems is available for precise presentation of visual and auditory stimuli and online monitoring of behavioral performance. The event-related potential software system ERPSS (courtesy of Steve Hillyard, UCSD, San Diego, CA) and EEGLab (courtesy of the Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, UCSD, San Diego, CA) are available for analysis of the EEG data. MRN also has the capability for concurrent EEG/fMRI using the BrainAmp MR system from brain products.

Testing subjects in a magnetic environment is a challenge, particularly if the test requires manual switching and/or signal transmission. Subject-response devices must be non-magnetic and preferably non-metallic to reduce unwanted signal noise that would need to be filtered. In addition, these devices must restrain the wrist to limit unwanted movement, while keeping the fingers comfortably positioned on the response switches.