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3.2.2. Department of Neuroimaging • Personnel training related to obtaining,
postprocessing or interpretation of advanced
Knowledge of the morphological variations occu- neuroimaging techniques.
rring in brain structure throughout life is essential to
assess the corresponding pathological changes that Department activities
occur in neurodegenerative diseases. Currently,
neuroimaging in any form, and combined, is one of UIPA's Department of Neuroimaging primarily deals
the areas of greatest progress in the understanding with the acquisition of MR data (and, where appro-
of various aspects of Alzheimer's disease and other priate, the performance of other imaging techni-
neurodegenerative diseases: etiology, early diag- ques such as PET or CT through external
nosis and differential functioning of brain areas, me- collaborations) and post-processing and analysis of
tabolism, neurotransmission. the data obtained. All studies are monitored and re-
ported by a neuroradiologist.
In this regard, neuroimaging techniques such as
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have led to sig- In addition, the Department provides technical as-
nificant progress in understanding brain changes as- sistance to both the rest of the scientific areas of the
sociated with age. MRI is a noninvasive tool that UIPA and external research groups. It also searches
allows the study of normal aging individuals at diffe- for new resources and promotes the UIPA research
rent times of his life. However, conventional MRI projects and the post-processing of images service
techniques are unable to detect and quantify mi- among other research groups.
crostructural changes dependent on age who have
been described in post-mortem studies of brain tis- This activity complements the internal seminars and
sue. external courses, both nationals and internationals,
on specific neuroimaging techniques.
For this reason, the Department of Neuroimaging has
a state-of-the-art 3 Tesla (T) MRI equipment as well During 2015 the Department of Neuroimaging has
as a collaboration agreement for research with the participated in MRI studies in the following clinical
supplier: General Electric. The main objectives De- trials:
partment of Neuroimaging are:
• “Lilly” (Multicentric, European). Extension “Eli Lilly
• Promotion and development of Protocol H8A-MC-LZAO”. Effect of passive
neuroimaging research projects in the field of immunization on the evolution of Alzheimer's
neurodegenerative diseases with special disease: LY2062430 against placebo.Sponsor: Eli
interest in AD and related dementias. Lilly.
• Acquisition and postprocessing of MR images • “Optimise”. Optimization of Treatment and
for UIPA ongoing research projects. Management of Schizophrenia in Europe. PI: R.
Kahn. University Medical Center Utrech. 2011-
• Dissemination of knowledge on neuroimaging 2013. CIBERSAM.
techniques related to neurodegenerative
diseases. • “Clozapine in early outbreaks of schizophrenia
as potential preventive treatment from brain
CIEN Foundation Annual Report 2015 / 48
