Overview
The Brain Imaging
and Analysis Center (BIAC) brings together scientists from throughout Duke University and the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to find interdisciplinary solutions to fundamental research questions
about the human brain. Two key themes underlie research at BIAC. The first is to improve research
techniques in neuroimaging through improvements in MR pulse sequence design, applications to high-field
fMRI, experimental control, and understanding of brain hemodynamics. Second, BIAC researchers
investigate the functional properties of the human brain by incorporating these state-of-the-art
research techniques into basic and translational neurosciences. Consistent with these two themes, three
research groups in Imaging and Analysis Methodology, Translational Neuroimaging, and Cognitive
Neuroimaging are formed within BIAC. The research activities in these groups are actively funded by
grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Aging, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and National Science Foundation. Additional significant funding also comes
from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Imaging and Analysis Methodology (Chen, Harshbarger, Liu, MacFall, Soher, Song, Truong, Voyvodic)
This group is concerned with increasing the speed of the imaging acquisition, improving the spatial coverage of these imaging sequences, developing innovative acquisition methods to enhance the spatial and temporal characteristics of functional and metabolic brain signals. This group is also concerned with improving the quantification of structural and functional brain images. Innovative algorithms and software for brain segmentation, volume and cortical thickness determination, functional signal localization, as well as automated image processing and analysis pipelines are being developed.
Translational Neuroimaging (Angold, Belger, Browndyke, Dichter, DeBellis, Egger, Lascola, McClernon, Morey, Petrella, Wang, Zucker)
This group is concerned with application of advanced imaging and analysis tools to investigate the neural bases of brain disorders in various patient populations. Studies on Alzheimer's disease, PTSD, depression, Schizophrenia, Autism, and anorexia nervosa and related eating disorders are being conducted.
Cognitive Neuroimaging (Adcock, Brannon, Cabeza, Chee, Diaz, Huettel, LaBar, Madden, McCarthy, Strauman, Woldorff)
This group is concerned with application of advanced imaging and analysis tools to investigate cognitive processes in human brain. Studies on memory, language, emotion, attention, executive functions, neuroeconomics, aging, and development are currently being carried out.