Newcastle Animal MRI Centre (360G-Wellcome-094593_Z_10_Z)

The animal MRI facility in Newcastle allows the characterisation of the anatomy and system-level organisation of brain mechanisms for perception, attention and higher cognition. The work develops a model of normal and abnormal brain organisation that can be realistically compared with that in man and used to inform detailed animal studies at the neuronal level. The facility in Newcastle allows key collaborations with groups in the USA and Europe interested in system-level organisation relevant to human cognition, on the one hand, and neuronal-level mechanisms, on the other. We require a critical upgrade to the scanner to allow parallel imaging providing increased resolution and improved signal-to-noise ratio for structural imaging (anatomy), diffusion imaging (tractography) and BOLD data (functional studies). The equipment and additional member of support staff requested will allow work with the following biological objectives: 1) high resolution anatomical definition of area s that are investigated using invasive techniques (recording) and non-invasive techniques (fMRI); 2) investigation of the connections of cortical and subcortical regions and 3) increased speed and resolution for BOLD imaging. The award would allow the continued viability and further development of work toward an efficient animal model for the normal and diseased human brain.