Morphometric and functional MRI analysis

I have received funding for my Ph.D. research from the Norwegian Research Council and my main focus has been age differences in neuroanatomy, as measured by analysis of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans, cognitive function, as measured by neuropsycho logical tests, and electrophysiological function, as measured by event-related potentials (ERP) in experimental paradigms. The sample now spans 80 complete data sets for persons between the ages 20 and 88. I have collaborated with Anders Dale and Bruce Fi schl at Harvard. I now wish to visit them again, both Anders Dale, now in San Diego, for one month, and Bruce Fischl’s group at Harvard, for three months. The visits would strengthen the collaboration with this highly qualified group of MRI researchers, a nd increase the analytical competence of the MRI-group at the Institute of Psychology at the University of Oslo. Our U.S. collaborators provide unique opportunities for systematic comparison of volume loss and sparing across the numerous cortical and subc ortical structures of the entire human brain in an age-heterogeneous sample. This has not previously been investigated in one sample, and represents valuable new knowledge of the aging process, especially if the pattern of relative loss and sparing can be related to functional parameters such as neuropsychological and electrophysiological recordings that I have been part of gathering. The collaboration enables the utilization of automatic labeling of a number of subcortical structures, as well as 81 corti cal structures. The results of manual labeling using the validated techniques of the Center for Morphometric Analysis are used to automatically extract the information required for automating the segmentation procedure. The collaboration also allows for i mplementation of upgraded software and sufficient training to handle analytic/technical problems and new analysis options in MRI aging research.