Informazioni sul corso

The objective of this course is to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of MRI and PET imaging in neuroscience. This course will present the main applications of these techniques, each time with a theoretical presentation of basic concepts for experimental data analyses. This module is divided into several classes: 1. the basic principles of PET neuroreceptor imaging, from the production of radioisotopes to the clinical and pre-clinical applications. Particular emphasis will be given to the study of dopaminergic neurotransmission system in schizophrenia and the advances made by PET imaging in understanding this disease. 2. PET analysis and quantification. This course will detail the main steps involved in obtaining metabolic images. After an introduction on the foundations of compartmental modeling, an example of cerebral neurotransmission will be shown. 3. PET activation study and introduction to SPM. This course will provide the methodological basis for the analysis of PET activation data. An example of activation study will be detailed and the participants will become familiar with SPM in the practical lessons. 4. Morphometric MRI study with SPM. This course will present the methodology voxel-based morphometry(VBM). The practical exercise will help to familiarize with SPM and techniques of spatial normalization and segmentation. 5. Analysis of fMRI by SPM. This module will provide the basic methodology for the analysis of fMRI data. Simple examples are given and the participants will become familiar with SPM in the pratical lessons. 6. Small animal imaging: MicroPET and b-Microprobe. This course will introduce the development of PET imaging in vivo small animal. A visit to the different platforms: the cyclotron, MRI and PET will be held at the end of the module.