8th BIENNIAL

2011 MINNESOTA WORKSHOPS

on

HIGH AND ULTRA-HIGH FIELD IMAGING

OCTOBER 14-16, 2011

THREE HANDS ON TRAINING COURSES:

MULTICHANNEL TRANSMIT B1 at HIGH FIELD

SPECTROSCOPY

fMRI and CONNECTIVITY

OCTOBER 12-13, 2011

Center for Magnetic Resonance Research

University of Minnesota

2021 6th Street SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455

Sponsored by

Center for Magnetic Resonance Research

Department of Radiology

University of Minnesota

Endorsed by

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Faculty

Registration

Training Schedule

Program Schedule
(html version being updated) (pdf)

CONFERENCE GOALS

The goal is to provide a forum to introduce and discuss the technical issues and applications of MRI/MRS conducted with high magnetic fields (>= 3 T). Presentations from experts in the major areas of high field MR research will cover fundamental principles, methodology, and biomedical applications in the brain as well as the other organ systems in the body. After attending this workshop, individuals can expect to be well informed of the advantages and limitations of high field MR and will have acquired much of the basic knowledge necessary to undertake high field MR investigations. Designed as both an educational program and a scientific forum for the presentation of the state-of-the-art research, the workshop is intended for a wide spectrum of basic and clinical scientists including cognitive scientists, physicists, radiologists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists and others interested in the technical development and biomedical applications of high field MRI.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

The training courses are designed to provide attendees with hands-on experience. The courses are mainly targeted for individuals who are new to the field. Attendees participate in lab sessions designed to illustrate each topic covered in lectures. For trainees that will also attend the workshop, lectures are scheduled to provide an overview of the topics covered by workshop speakers.

Multichannel Transmit B1 at High Field Training Course
October 12-13, 2011

The following topics will be covered in lectures and as well as during in-vivo experiments:

  1. Fast multi channel B1 mapping
  2. Static B1 shim in small anatomical targets
  3. Static B1 shim in large anatomical targets
  4. 2D-pattern shaped excitation with parallel excitation based on "Transmit SENSE" pulse design
  5. Slice selective excitation homogenization based on "spoke excitation k-space trajectories"

In-vivo experiments will be conducted on a whole body human scanner operating at 7 tesla, equipped with 16 independent transmit channels.

Spectroscopy Training Course
October 12-13, 2011

The following topics will be covered in lectures, hands-on sessions, and demonstrations:

  1. pulse sequences: localization and editing
  2. shimming
  3. data acquisition using Varian and Siemens scanners
  4. processing
  5. data analysis focusing on using LCModel

Experiments will be conducted using 9.4 tesla Varian animal scanner and whole body 3 tesla Siemens human scanner.

fMRI and Connectivity Training Course
Hands-on Training, October 12-13, 2011

Data Acquisition and Analysis

  1. fMRI data collection
  2. fMRI data processing
  3. Layer specific analyses
  4. Surface based analyses
  5. High resolution fMRI data analysis
  6. Anatomical and functional connectivity analyses
  7. Analysis with commercially available packages

Experiments will be conducted on 3 and/or 7 tesla Siemens systems.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Posters will be accepted for presentation, and the authors of posters will be additionally provided with an opportunity to give a short oral presentation. If you would like to present a poster at the workshop, please submit a one-page abstract via e-mail to deb@cmrr.umn.edu or mail to Deb Morgan, CMRR, 2021 6th ST SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. The abstract must be received by September 15, 2011.

LOCATION

The conference will be held at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 6th Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455. The Hands-on Training Workshops, Oct. 12-13, 2011 and the Reception on Saturday, Oct. 15th, will be held at the CMRR. Conference dinner on Friday, October 14t, will be held at TCF Bank Stadium Club.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel reservations should be made directly with the Days Inn at 612-623-9303 (rates are $79 plus tax per night for nights of October 11-15, 2011) or the Radisson University Hotel 612-379-8888; 1-800-333-3333 (limited rooms at rates of $129 plus tax for October 11 and 12, 2011; and rates of both $149 and $179 plus tax per night for October 13 and 15, 2011).