Grant: Project Grant

The human brain can be modeled as a network of brain areas (network nodes) with anatomical connections (links between the nodes) that transfer information between brain areas. In order to understand the function of the healthy human brain and the development of neurological diseases, it is essential to correctly delineate distinct brain areas. Structural and functional MRI are non-invasive imaging methods that hold the potential to identify relevant brain areas. However, MRI and functional MRI-based delineation of brain areas have neither been thoroughly validated nor optimized. We propose to apply non-invasive structural and functional MRI methods in an animal model, followed by the evaluation and optimization of methods for delineating brain areas. Specifically, we will optimize the non-invasive MRI and functional MRI methods for delineation of areas based on the variation of neuron density and size, as well as myelin content - all of which will be quantified using tissue processing. Our study will optimize and validate non-invasive MRI and functional MRI methods for parcellating the healthy human brain in order to set the stage for understanding changes in this parcellation in neurological diseases.