New fMRI scanner advances research on brain function
Archived article from Oct 26, 2001
By Michael Olohan
A new high-powered (3-Tesla) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner that provides detailed pictures of specific areas of brain activity will enable researchers on the Newark campus to advance neurological research on brain injury and such devastating diseases as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and autism.
One of only five such powerful devices nationwide, the fMRI scanner is housed at the University of Medicine and Dentistry's main campus in Newark and is jointly owned by Rutgers and the medical school. The acquisition of the 3-Tesla fMRI was directed by Stephen Hanson, associate professor and chair of psychology, and Benjamin Bly, assistant professor of psychology and a member of the radiology department at UMDNJ.
"This high-field magnetic resonance imaging scanner will allow us to conduct cutting-edge research on the brain areas involved in behaviors and thinking," said Bly, noting that the scanner could help scientists understand the differences between a diseased brain and a normal brain.
"This research may lead to novel theories of cognition and behavior, to new diagnostic methods in neurology, psychiatry and neurosurgery, and perhaps to new therapies for a variety of neurological and psychological conditions," he said.
Approximately $5 million in funding for the scanner, its housing and maintenance has been provided by the State of New Jersey, the Ripple Foundation, Rutgers-Newark and the UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School radiology department.
The new fMRI scanner will be used by the Rutgers University Mind Brain Analysis (RUMBA) project, the department of psychology and the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, all on the Newark campus.
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