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.