MRI Core (COM)

 

Overview of Services

MRI Laboratory
The MRI Core Facility is located at 30 Long Lane (building 10 on campus map) and contains biochemical, electronic and surgical suites, and a fully equipped machine shop with (2) 3D printers. 

Equipment
The MRI Core facility has two MRI systems and an EEG MRI-compatible system dedicated for research.

  • 3T Siemens PRISMA-Fit scanner equipped with True 2 Channel Tx and 64 Channel Rx. The latest RF coil set including a 64 Channel head coil and software packages are available with full clinical capability.
  • 7T Biospec 70/20 is small animal imaging system (Bruker Biospin, Ettlingen, Germany). Latest Hardware and Software. Avance NEO with Paravision 360. 

Full sensory fMRI stimulation systems:

  • Nordic Neuro Lab (NNL) and Current Designs Birch Optical Interface Unit which includes an MRI-compatible LCD visual display (NNL), audio system, several button response units (Current Designs) and software (E-Prime) for paradigm creation, patient management, protocol planning, precise delivery of brain stimulation and behavioral analysis.
  • ETT Olfactometer with 6 fully programmable 6 independent channels for odor and trigeminal stimulation (ETT, LLC, Hershey, PA).
  • Olfact Smell Test System (Osmic Enterprises, Inc., Cincinnati, OH) is a computerized instrument to test the smell functions of human subjects. Odor threshold, odor identification, and odor memory can be tested.
  • ETT Gustatometer with 7 fully programmable independent channels for taste stimulation (ETT,LLC, Hershey, PA)
  • Eye Link 1000 Plus system via SR Research: The EyeLink 1000 Plus Host PC performs real-time eye tracking at 250, 500,1000, or 2000 samples per second while computing true gaze position on the display viewed by the participant. The Host PC also performs on-line detection and analysis of eye-motion events such as saccades, blinks, and fixations. In addition to the sample data, these events are stored in a data file on the Host PC. They can be sent through the Ethernet link to the Display PC with a minimal delay or output as analog signals (if the optional analog/digital I/O card is installed). From the Host PC, the operator performs participant setup, monitors their performance, and can communicate with applications running on a Display PC.

Please Remember to Acknowledge our MRI Core in any published work submission:

Acknowledgement:

The MRI Core (RRID:SCR_021198) services and instruments used in this project were funded, in part by the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine via the Office of the Vice Dean of Research and Graduate Students and the Pennsylvania Department of Health using Tobacco Settlement Funds (CURE). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the university or College of Medicine. The Pennsylvania Department of Health specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions.

 In the method section:

All the image data were acquired on a 3T  MRI scanner (Prisma fit, Siemens Medical) at the MRI Core Facility of College of Medicine.

 

 In the method section:

All the image data were acquired on a 7T  MRI scanner (Bruker BIOSPEC 70/20 USR) at the MRI Core Facility of College of Medicine. 

 

Leadership

Maria Bewley | Director: Biomedical Research Core Facilities/Associate Professor Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Qing Yang | Professor Neurosurgery/Faculty Advisor for MRI Core 

Jeff Vesek | Project Manager MRI Core 

 

Location and hours of operation

Hours Location
9 am-5:00 pm Monday - Friday MRI 3Tesla/Human Magnet
 9 am-5:00 pm Monday - Friday MRI 7T/Pre-Clinical Magnet

 30 Long Lane 
 Hershey PA 17033 

Links and Resources

Contacts

Name Role Phone Email Location
Jeff Vesek
Director MRI Core
 
717-531-0003 ext.285782
 
jjv12@psu.edu
 
Office 103