Page 66 - Memora anual Fundación CIEN 2017
P. 66
3.2.3. 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 2017, the Department of Neuroimaging has
as a collaboration agreement for research with the participated in MRI studies in the following clinical
supplier: General Electric. trials:
The main objectives Department of Neuroimaging • "Pilot clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and
are: safety of deep brain stimulation in Alzheimer's
disease". Alzheimer”. ECP-EA IP: Dra. Aurora
• Promotion and development of Viloria Jiménez. Hospital Clínico San Carlos.
neuroimaging research projects in the field of
neurodegenerative diseases with special • “NAC”.Phase III study: "Effect of Adjuvant
interest in AD and related dementias treatment with N-acetylcysteine for 48 weeks
over the loss of gray matter and oxidative
• Acquisition and postprocessing of MR images metabolism in patients with early onset
for UIPA ongoing research projects psychotic episodes". Randomized, Double-
blind, placebo-controlled Clinical Trial Code:
• Dissemination of knowledge on neuroimaging FIBHGM-ECNC002-2012, EudraCT Number:
techniques related to neurodegenerative 2012-005435-87. Promoter Center: Foundation
diseases for Biomedical Research Gregorio Marañon
Hospital. PI: Celso Arango.
CIEN Foundation Annual Report 2017 / 66
