Department Neuroimaging

Link to RG Translationales Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging techniques allow the examination of the characteristics of neuronal activity, biochemistry and connectivity in a non-invasive, safe and repeatable manner.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) uses blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) measures to provide information on the localization and magnitude of brain activity.

In vivo spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) applies the basic method of nuclear magnetic resonance to examine the chemistry of living tissue.

Diffusion-Tensor-Imaging (DTI) reveals the course and structural integrity of white-matter projections.

Using volumetric methodes (VBM, DBM), it is possible to detect localized volume differences in group comparisons between patients and healthy controls.

Molecular biology in combination with advances in electrophysiology and the above mentioned techniques have increasingly moved the focus of psychiatric research from the differential description of phenomenology and disease course to an understanding of the biological basis of mental disorders. The aim of the division Neuroimaging is to integrate these innovative imaging methods into the daily psychiatric clinical routine and to enhance methodological development.

Most of the research project to date are performed an a Siemens Vision plus 1.5 Tesla MR scanner, with the optional accessories for multinuclear spectroscopy (¹H-³¹P).

Since Jan 2006 the installation of a Siemens Trio (with TIM technology) 3 Tesla scanner has been finished. The instrument is equipped with the multinuclear spectroscopy option and is dedicated to research projects only.

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