Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center
Powerful MRI Accelerates Pace of Discovery
The Rocco Ortenzio Neuroimaging Center accelerates the pace of discovery, translating research findings to improve patient care. The Ortenzio Center’s powerful MRI scanner enables scientists to work in real-time, correlating cognitive and motor function with activity in the brain and spinal cord and documenting the effectiveness of new interventions. These findings lead to breakthroughs that enhance recovery and improve outcomes for people with disabilities.
Why Our MRI Research Leads in Rehabilitation Innovation
The Foundation is one of the few independent research institutions in the United States focused on disability rehabilitation, featuring a state-of-the-art imaging center dedicated to studying neurological injuries and diseases. A complete system upgrade in late 2024 provides scientists with cutting-edge technology, enabling the development of innovative interventions and delivering imaging capabilities that surpass standard clinical MRI systems.
Visualizing Brain Activity with Functional Neuroimaging
Advanced multi-modality biomedical techniques allow Foundation researchers to visualize brain activity during specific tasks and sensations in individuals with MS, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson's disease. Some of the techniques used include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and electromyography (EMG). The goal is to understand how cognitive rehabilitation can reshape memory-related brain regions and provide valuable insights into addressing cognitive and physical fatigue.
Using MRI: To Determine the Mechanisms of Fatigue
While accelerating advances in interventions, Foundation researchers identified regions contributing to the brain’s “fatigue network” and showed how network connectivity changes with cognitive fatigue. Groundbreaking studies have also revealed differences in brain activation during cognitive tasks across ages and genders, making these the first to explore age and gender effects on state and trait fatigue in healthy individuals.
Enhanced Capabilities Analyze the Complex Brain-Body Connection
The Center uses its leading-edge Siemens 3T scanner to investigate brain mechanisms that support effective rehabilitation strategies and interventions through neuroimaging. Researchers analyze the complex brain-body connection by recording real-time responses during specific motor, language, memory, or visual tasks in the scanner and conducting further offline analysis.
Using MRI: To Study Multiple Sclerosis
Using advanced neuroimaging, Foundation researchers have identified a biomarker for cognitive fatigue to objectively study disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis. They have found a link between signal detection theory metrics, subjective state fatigue, and brain activation patterns in MS patients. Evidence also supports physical exercise, like treadmill walking and cycling, aids in the recovery of lost functions in individuals with relapsing-remitting and progressive MS.
Using MRI: To Examine Exercise’s Impact on Brain Activation in Traumatic Brain Injury
Researchers aim to reveal how various exercise programs combined with memory retraining can boost cognitive performance in individuals with traumatic brain injury. Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans taken before and after interventions help explain why certain changes occur in performance, and the differences found between each exercise group over time.
Using MRI: To Study Reading Deficits After Stroke
Several neurobehavioral reading interventions have been developed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and/or neurofeedback to enhance post-stroke plasticity. With reading impairments affecting many left-hemisphere stroke survivors, the objective is to address chronic conditions like aphasia through early interventions, improving outcomes for those with reading disorders after stroke.
Using MRI: To Study Function Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury
Researchers use MRI to assess the impact of interventions aimed at allaying the decline in muscle and bone strength following spinal cord injury, including robotic-assisted walking and functional electrical stimulation. By harnessing the Center's neuroimaging resources, studies are underway to explore spinal cord function recovery and develop strategies for mitigating neuropathic pain.
Frequently Asked Questions about MRI and fMRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are widely regarded as safe procedures, using non-invasive methods to capture detailed images of the body and brain. Most individuals are eligible for these types of scans, which provide critical insights into anatomy and brain function without the need for radiation.
