Human Connectome Project

Brain Mapping Center Seminar Series: “Discovering the Human Connectome”

kcampbell — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:56:53 +0000

“Discovering the Human Connectome”
Olaf Sporns, PhD
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences,
Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, Indiana University

April 5, 2012
11:00am – 12:00pm
Neuroscience Research Building (NRB 132)

Recent advances in network science have greatly increased our understanding of many complex networked systems, ranging from transportation networks, to social networks, the internet, ecosystems, and biochemical and gene transcription pathways. Network approaches are also increasingly applied in the context of neuroscience, at several levels of scale from cells to circuits and large-scale systems. A broad range of empirical strategies aim at creating comprehensive maps of the brain’s connections, the connectome. Initial results obtained from the first connectome maps of the human brain reveal a number of characteristic topological features, including small-world attributes, modularity and hubs, and a pronounced core and rich-club organization. Dr. Sporns will review how recent network studies have given us new insights into the brain’s connection topology, and how these studies provide new insight into the relationship between structure and functional dynamics.

For more information, contact Leona Mattoni (310-825-2699, leona@loni.ucla.edu) or Allan Wu (allanwu@mednet.ucla.edu)

Mapping out a new era in brain research – CNN Labs

kcampbell — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:16:50 +0000

CNN Reporter Matthew Knight covers the Human Connectome Project for CNN Labs, a division of CNN’s Tech section.

“The complex architecture of the human brain and how its billions of nerve cells communicate has baffled the greatest minds for centuries. But now, new technology is allowing neuroscientists to map the brain’s connections in ever-greater detail.”

Read the full article.

Probing the Brain’s Mysteries – The Wall Street Journal

kcampbell — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:20:57 +0000

The Wall Street Journal recently covered brain mapping and The Human Connectome Project for their Health & Wellness section. The feature includes key insights from HCP experts Bruce Rosen (MGH), Susan Bookheimer (UCLA) and David Van Essen (WU-Minn).

“Researchers for the first time are documenting the basic wiring of the brain, the complex relationships among billions of neurons that are responsible for reason, memory and emotion. The work eventually could lead to better understanding of schizophrenia, autism, multiple sclerosis and other disorders.”

Read the full article.

First public release of 3T Connectom scanner data!

blee — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:06:52 +0000

Data from three human subjects represents the first release of DSI and Q-ball connectivity data from the Siemens 3T scanner. These images were obtained at an unprecedented 90 mT/m and 300 mT/m gradient strength. We encourage interested users to access the HCP database and explore these first-of-their-kind images. Watch for HCP-derived results volumes and connectivity representations soon!

Connectom Scanner Uses Ultra-High Gradient Strength

kcampbell — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:59:23 +0000

In a series of experiments, MGH researchers systematically increased the gradient strength of the Connectom scanner from 90mT/m to 300 mT/m using DSI and noted increasing ability to resolve finer and finer white matter fiber structure in the living human. These results are the first to be obtained using ultra-high gradient strength, illustrate the advantages on connectivity of using stronger gradients, and will form the basis of additional data collection to explore fiber bundle density and examine more subtle connections between diverse parts of the brain. These results are to be reported at the ISMRM annual conference in Melbourne, Australia, May 5-11, 2012.

Brain Mapping Seminar Series

kcampbell — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:47:55 +0000

“Advanced MRI for the Human Connectome Project” by David Feinberg, MD, PhD.

Dr. Feinberg is a clinician, neuroscientist and MR physicist with many innovations in rapid MR imaging methods. He is leading the efforts to develop advanced MR pulse sequences for HARDI and resting state fMRI at both 3 and 7T for the Human Connectome Project.

Date: November 3, 2011
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Neuroscience Research Building (NRB 132)
Hosted By: Danny JJ Wang, PhD, UCLA Neurology

The focus of these talks is on advancing the use of brain mapping methods in neuroscience with an emphasis on contemporary issues of neuroplasticity, neurodevelopment, and biomarker development in neuropsychiatric disease.

Sponsored by the faculty of the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center at UCLA

First Images on the Connectom 3T Scanner Obtained

jvanhorn — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:31:17 +0000

The MGH-UCLA HCP team obtained our first human diffusion scans on October 6th from the Connectom 3T scanner. After struggling with but overcoming some technical issues, these first images looked clean and will be analyzed with results available soon. SNR comparisons were made up to 90mT/m, near the magneto-phosphene threshold. Q-ball comparison data were also obtained. Soon long and short DSI scanning will take place as well. Additionally, the team is testing its 64ch array and 32ch array coils in hopes that they will be better (than the Siemens 32) and we can switch to them for subsequent data collection.