A turn-key system for FMRI

This project conducts the basic research and development work to develop a turnkey system that will enable large numbers of cognitive researchers to carry out success- ful factional Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies (fMI) producing millimeter maps of h cortical function. The system provides all the hardware and software need- ed to present and analyze experiments in a MRI enviroment. Phase I will design the system and provide initial implementation of key components. The specific objectives include design and partial prototyping of : 1) head stabilization device to keep head movements below 2mm; 2) experimental presentation and response system for oper- ation within the magnet; 3) cognitive experimental software for implementing common paradigms; 4) specification of standardized fMI scanning protocol; 5) workstation- to-MR machine communication software; 6) FMRI analysis tools including filtering, movement correction, basic image processing, angiography filtering, statistical eval- uation, particle analysis, and data filtering; 7) data visualization of 2D and 3D functional images; 8) design of a data base tracking system for FMRI data; and 9) design of help system for fMI. The widespread accessibility of these techniques should substantially speed the understanding of cortical function which will in turn provide a basis for reverse engineering of cortical computation, improve medical treatment, and potentially facilitate human factors assessment.