Core Services

Developmental Neuroimaging Core

Core Director:
Aysenil Belger, Ph.D.
Director, Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory

Co-Director:
Franck Polleux, Ph.D.
Director, Confocal and Multiphoton Imaging Facility

Staff:
Gary Long
Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory Network Manager

Core Functions

The primary objective of the Developmental Neuroimaging Core of the IDDRC is to provide centralized support and services to the pre-clinical and clinical projects utilizing image acquisition and image processing technology for quantitative measurements of structural MRI (SMRI), functional MR (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), ultrasound in human neuroimaging; and, multiphoton/confocal microscopy data of mouse or cellular models relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders. The core provides access to and training on well-established and validated neuroimaging methods and develops new methods and modifications of existing state-of-the-art image acquisition and analysis methods. More specifically, the Developmental Neuroimaging Laboratory and Confocal and Multiphoton Imaging Facility provide expertise and support for:

• experimental protocol development
• imaging data acquisition
• storing and archiving of clinical study image data
• maintenance of imaging databases
• assistance and training with imaging data processing
• development of novel imaging data analysis tools
• quality assurance of image acquisition protocols
• data transfer of image data to the image analysis lab
• two- and three-dimensional segmentation to obtain quantitative measurements
• rigorous validation and quality control of processing with intra- and inter-rater studies.

The combination of the processing of volumetric images from multiphoton/confocal microscopy and from human neuroimaging in one core will make it possible to apply appropriate state-of-the-art image processing technology to various types of imaging data as well as to provide a broader intellectual environment for exchange of ideas regarding issues in brain development and function. The core laboratories provide access to equipment, technologies and training that would be prohibitively expensive for an investigator to possess in an individual laboratory.