Beyond mind reading: Imaging brain activity at high spatial resolution using functional MRI

Prof. Avery Berman

Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Carleton University

October 31, 2022 9:30 - 10:30

Mackenzie Building, Room ME3380, Carleton University

 

 

abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based on the Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal has revolutionized human neurosciences by providing a non-invasive tool for dynamically mapping brain activity without the use of ionizing radiation or exogenous contrast agents. In this talk I will give an educational overview of the biophysical and physiological factors that influence BOLD fMRI. I will then describe my contributions to pulse sequence development for performing high spatial resolution fMRI at 7 T, where I demonstrated functional activation at 0.6-mm isotropic voxel size – the highest published spatial resolution for human fMRI using a whole-head receiver coil.

biography

Dr. Berman joined Carleton University this past January as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, a Scientist at the Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, and a member of the OCIBME. Dr. Berman did his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at McGill University where he worked on quantitative imaging of brain physiology using MRI. Afterwards, he did his postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School, working at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he worked on pulse sequence development and modelling for high-resolution functional MRI at 7 T.