Page 54 - MaquetaFundCIEN-2019-ENG

54
Annual Report 2019
3.2.3. Department of Neuroimaging
Knowledge of the morphological variations occurring in brain structure through- out life is essential to assess the corresponding pathological changes that oc- cur in neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, neuroimaging in any form, and combined, is one of the areas of greatest progress in the understanding of var- ious aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases: eti- ology, early diagnosis and differential functioning of brain areas, metabolism, neurotransmission.
In this regard, neuroimaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have led to significant progress in understanding brain changes associ- ated with age. MRI is a noninvasive tool that allows the study of normal aging individuals at different times of his life. However, conventional MRI techniques are unable to detect and quantify microstructural changes dependent on age who have been described in post-mortem studies of brain tissue.
For this reason, the Department of Neuroimaging has a state-of-the-art 3 Tesla (T) MRI equipment as well as a collaboration agreement for research with the supplier: General Electric.
The main objectives Department of Neuroimaging are:
• Promotion and development of neuroimaging research projects in the field of neurodegenerative diseases with special interest in AD and related de- mentias
• Acquisition and postprocessing of MR images for UIPA ongoing research projects
• Dissemination of knowledge on neuroimaging techniques related to neuro- degenerative diseases
• Personnel training related to obtaining, postprocessing or interpretation of advanced neuroimaging techniques