Imaging Research Center boilerplate

All fMRI data collection will take place at the Imaging Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin. This self-contained imaging center is equipped with a state-of-the-art General Electric Signa HD 3T scanner with the most recent software release (see below for details about the scanner). Separate stimulus presentation systems are available for functional MRI studies and pre-scan training sessions in a mock functional MRI machine, which we find is useful for pilot testing stimulus presentation paradigms and training participants before the enter the real scanner.

The fMRI laboratory computing environment consists of a multiprocessor Linux preprocessing for fMRI data, including FLAIR-weighted contrasts in a 3-dimensional isotropic acquisition, motion artifact correction, and slice-timing correction for event related fMRI. The lab possesses a network of several workstations and desktop computers, several non-fMRI testing suites, a classroom, and office space for faculty and staff. Software packages available for fMRI studies include MATLAB, SPM, BrainVoyager, and other packages for data archiving and management.

The Imaging Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin is equipped with a General Electric Signa HD 3T scanner that was installed in 2005. It is equipped with the most recent software release. The scanner has a suite of functional imaging capabilities, including diffusion tensor imaging (along 6 to 55 orientations), single-shot echo planar imaging that uses 3 directional motion sensing gradient pulses, segmented and single shot spiral EPI, and real time image reconstruction and processing. A video and auditory stimulus presentation system is in place.