We have also developed a method for automatic extraction of the Arterial Input function directly from DSC-MRI images. In this field we developed Nonlinear Stochastic Regularization and we are now working on the application of Stable Spline to DSC-MRI. We aims to develop new deconvolution approaches to overcome the limitations of existing methods. Perfusion Quantitative magnetic resonance perfusion research area is mainly divided in two projects Development of novel methods for quantification of perfusion for Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI permits the in vivo quantification of brain perfusion using an exogenous contrast agent. FAIR people: Alessandra Bertoldo, Matteo Tonietto, Erica Silvestri, Andrea Nordio, Ilaria Mazzonetto, Marco Castellaro The main aim of this research line is to investigate how changes in EEG frequency bands affect functional and effective connectivity of resting state networks (RSNs) identified with fMRI. This is mainly due to several technical matters that arise when combining the two methods as well as to an incomplete understanding of the relationship between the hemodynamic response measured by BOLD-fMRI and the underlying neuronal activity detected by EEG. Even though both techniques are widely used, their integration is not equally widespread. EEG-fMRI integration Combination of information from EEG and fMRI allows one to overcome the low spatial resolution of the former and the low temporal resolution of the latter. The aim of this study is to investigate the cerebral hemodynamic impairment in multiple sclerosis patients by using noncontrast mapping of arterial delay in rs-fMRI. As suggested in previous works resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to map the vascular delay since blood oxygenation level dependent fluctuation largely depends, even not only, on changes in cerebral blood flow. In particular cerebral arterial arrival time seems to be prolonged in normal appearing WM and deep GM, and associated with disability. Assessment of cerebral hemodynamic impairment Alterations in cerebral hemodynamic have been reported in multiple sclerosis patients both in white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM). More specifically, we aim to investigate both functional and effective connectivity with motor disability. The relatively simple experimental setup of the resting state fMRI makes it ideally suitable for large-scale investigation of how multiple sclerosis affects functional brain connectivity and how the connectivity impairment correlates with clinical disability scales. We are supported by NIH grant P41 EB015909 (formerly P41 RR015241).Functional MRI Functional and effective connectivity The main project of this research line is the investigation of the functional and effective connectivity of resting state networks in normal subjects and multiple sclerosis patients. At the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR).Translating laboratory discoveries to patient treatment.At the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.Statistical Methods and Applications for Research in Technology (SMART).Novel statistical methods for functional brain imaging.Computing facilities and image analysis.FM Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging (FMKRC).MRI facilities, image acquisition, and processing.Our resources fall into the following categories: This is accomplished through publications, training courses, and by making software and databases available. The technologies being developed are disseminated to investigators nationwide and throughout the world. This technology development is done in collaboration with a large community of clinicians and neuroscientists at several institutions in Maryland and throughout the USA. Our resource is dedicated to the design of quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) acquisition and processing technology to assess tissue changes and alterations in function, metabolism, and physiology as the brain changes during neurodevelopment or neurodegeneration. Welcome to the National Research Resource