The Imaging facility is used for non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on Human subjects. It houses two scanners: a 3 Tesla whole body magnet (Siemens, MAGNETOM Prisma) located at the Arison MRI facility building, and a 7 Tesla** whole body magnet (Siemens, MAGNETOM Terra) that is located at the Azrieli National Institute for human brain imaging and research building.
The systems are being used primarily in Neuroscience research for functional brain imaging (fMRI), an advanced imaging technique that enables to map brain activity and for developing and testing new acquisition and processing tools for imaging and spectroscopy, and for utilizing these tools for characterizing structural, functional and metabolic features, in health and disease.
Both systems offer 64 receive channels, MR gradients capable of high speed (80 mT/m @ 200 T/m/s), and parallel transmit technology and applications.
The 3 Tesla scanner is equipped with unique coils for whole body 1H imaging and spectroscopy (including 32 channel head coil, 20 channels and 64 channels head/neck coils, a spine 32 matrix coil, 18 channels breast coil, a 18 channels body matrix coil, a knee coil Tx/15 Rx, a Tx/Rx CP head coil, and a 7 cm loop coil). Among the applications that are included on the system are BOLD imaging, diffusion and perfusion imaging, susceptibility weighted imaging, MR angiography, flow measurements, spectroscopy, neuro-imaging, breast imaging, whole-body imaging, and abdominal imaging.
The 7 Tesla system is equipped with three head coils: 1Tx/32Rx (Nova), 8Tx/32Rx (Nova), and 16Tx/32Rx, a knee coil 1Tx/28Rx, and a Loop Coil.
Both systems include a full range of MR compatible peripheral devices that can be used for fMRI studies: A visual system for presenting high-quality visual stimuli in the MRI, headphones, response devices (fORP, Current Designs), a dual channel fiber optic microphone system (Optoacoustics), an eye tracking system (EyeLink), and a system for physiological data monitoring and acquisition (BIOPAC MP150/MP160) during MRI including pulse and respiration.
The 3T system additionally includes:
1. BIOPAC modules and electrodes that allow recording of EMG, EOG, EEG, and skin conductivity. 2. A 32-channels Brain Products MR compatible EEG. 3. A software for real time fMRI analysis that allows neuro- feedback studies.
Additionally, the facility includes an MRI simulator – a non magnetic replication of the 3T MR environment to familiarize and train the participants with the research setting.
**For studies that involve the use of the institute’s 7-Tesla MRI, consider to submit a proposal (https://centers.weizmann.ac.il/AzrieliBrain/call-proposals). Successful applicants will receive a grant.