Neuroimaging II: Haemodynamic methods 

• Neuroimaging I
• Knowledge of math at the level of the first-semester course in Advanced Math is required. In particular, if you do not understand complex numbers, Fourier transforms and convolution then you need to take the Advanced Math course before NeuroImaging II: Haemodynamic Methods.
  

This course builds on the course Neuroimaging I (CNGE02). It aims to give students a deeper understanding of the imaging methods and analytical tools that are available to cognitive neuroscientists. At the conclusion of the course the student should be able to acquire and evaluate data acquired with fMRI. The course offers a systematic explanation of the acquisition experiment and hands on experience with the most commonly used data analysis techniques. It is mandatory for students wishing to perform an fMRI experiment in their masters project.

Data information content. The various types of information that can be obtained under differing experimental conditions will be described for PET and (f)MRI. The use of different isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals in PET will be discussed. MRI using the echo planar imaging technique will be explained and the complex nature of the BOLD response used for f(MRI) will be examined. The measurement of connectivity using both resting state fMRI and fibre tracking based on diffusion tensor measures will be introduced.

Design aspects. An in-depth treatment will be given of the different experimental design types in imaging studies. The advantages and disadvantages of the different design types will be discussed, with emphasis on statistical efficiency. Students will be given the task to design an experiment.

Image reconstruction and processing. Generalised image reconstruction in terms of k-space will be introduced and image acquisition and reconstruction in MRI explained in these terms. Practical approaches for analyzing fMRI data sets will be examined.

Syllabus, lecture notes

Representative readings

• Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Scott A. Huettel, Allen W. Song, and Gregory McCarthy, (2^nd edition 2009) ISBN: 978-0-87893-286-3

Presentation
Lectures, student assignments, hands-on practical exercises in recording and analysing fMRI, and MRI data.

Written exam (3 hours)
Exam date: Friday July 13, 2012; 10.45-13.45

Via  STUDENT PORTAL till 5 working days before the start of the course
Note this course is for CNS students only. Non-CNS students can contact Yvonne Schouten () or Arno Koning ().

February 1 - June 27, 2012.    Wednesday 8.45-10.30
Location: DCCN, Colloquium room