PlatformsNeuroimaging

Access to an integrated network of high technology imaging capabilities at both pure research and clinical sites.

Click Here for the Neuroimaging Platform Leaders Report 2003/2004

This platform aims to provide access to a network of high cost, high technology imaging capabilities at both pure research and clinical sites. A substantial amount of funding has been used in recent years to build significant, state-of-the-art neuroimaging facilities. These pre-existing facilities, each with specific capabilities, have been integrated to form the core of the Neuroimaging platform.

Objectives

Optimise and coordinate access to an integrated network of high-cost, advanced technology imaging capabilities
Provide educational and consultancy services to neuroscientists and industry partners
Attract new business through the creation of technique specific centres
Provide drug evaluation services for the development of new drugs by the pharmaceutical industry

Facilities & Expertise
Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRI & MRS) at 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla
Diffusion and diffusion tensor imaging
T2 Relaxometry
Functional magnetic resonance imaging at 4.7 Tesla
Real time functional imaging to map brain activity during experimentally controlled cognitive and motor tasks
Positron emission tomography (PET) and SPECT imaging with state-of-the-art dual and triple head SPECT cameras and two PET Cameras (one of which is a "next generation" GSO crystal based PET camera with an integrated CT scanner)
Steady-State Probe Topography (SSPT)
Computed Topography (CT or CAT), Ultrasound, Angiography, Fluroscopy, Mammography and General X-Ray
Patient holding facilities allowing acute neurological patients to be studied in a safe environment
Animal holding facilities for both small and large animals
Access to a drug evaluation services
Access to processes involved in developing a compound for administration to humans, including FDA approved toxicity studies, small animal pharmacological studies of the labelled compound and Ethics Committee approval for human studies.

Key Personnel
Professor Graeme Jackson (Platform Leader) Brain Research Institute
Dr Christopher Rowe Nuclear Medicine and Centre for PET, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre
Professor David Crewther Brain Sciences Institute
DR Gary Egan Howard Florey Institute
Associate Professor Trish Desmond Department of Radiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital
DR Stacey Georgen Department of Neurology, Monash Medical Centre

Key Achievements 2002-03

Royal Melbourne Hospital
The Brain Imaging Lab (Royal Melbourne) has undergone a major upgrade in the 2002-03. The focus has been switching to Linux as a viable platform to run all software.

A Dell Poweredge 6650 server has been purchased with 32Gb memory, 4 Xeon 2.8Gbz processors, and 1 terrabyte of storage space. There are also three new Dell Optiplex SX270 PC's (2.4Ghz P4, with 512Mb RAM) and 19" monitors for students and staff to use. Upgrades to the latest versions of Analyze, MEDx and IDL software have also been made.

Brain Research Institute
The Brain Research Institute has undergone a significant upgrade to the facilities. Building works have been completed on the extension to the current MRI building that will provide a new and exciting focus for studies being performed at the BRI. Some of the new facilities include:
A new central reception and waiting area
Dedicated private interview/examination rooms
Clinical support facilities and patient holding areas
Ambulance and patient transport facilities
Animal holding area
New meeting rooms and offices

Technical changes have also accompanied the construction of the new building, with the recent delivery of a dual tuned Sodium/Hydrogen coil. Coupled with our ongoing developments in Diffusion Tensor and Phosphorus imaging they have established a new, powerful and comprehensive battery of imaging techniques.

The installation of the new GE body coil into the existing system is planned for the near future as well. The new system configuration will significantly enhance our capabilities to support research in an even wider variety of studies (eg. stroke, cardiac, oncology, intensive care, anaesthetics) in the future.

Howard Florey MR Facility
The addition of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) System Operator has been implemented. The MRI operator is responsible for the operation of the small animal MR system operated by the HFI on behalf of the Victorian Universities Magnetic Resonance Consortium (VUMRC). The system operator is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the equipment, and the scheduling and conduct of experiments. The operator is required to provide assistance with animals being prepared for experimentation and to analyse the imaging data acquired. Related responsibilities include carrying out routine maintenance activities on the MR peripheral equipment and, where practical, further improvement of the imaging protocols. The system operator is also required to be available for some out of normal hours work, attend consortium and institute meetings, and to undertake other responsibilities as directed.

 
Back to Top