Neuroimaging Core

Project Summary The overall goal of the Neuroimaging Core (NIC) is to enhance the Cleveland Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (CADRC) through the application of prospectively acquired advanced imaging and to provide high level imaging data analysis support and infrastructure to CADRC cores and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (AD/ADRD) researchers both regionally, nationally, and through the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). Specifically, the NIC will prospectively acquire high quality MRI and PET data in CADRC participants, as well as better than 0.2mm isotropic spatial resolution ultra-high field MRI in ex-vivo brains of donors to the CADRC. The NIC will provide neuroimaging expertise to investigators in the CADRC and the general AD/ADRD. There are five aims of the NIC, 1) In addition to acquiring ADNI-compatible MRI data, to collect high quality multi-modal MRI data that will permit studies of quantitative T1, T2, cerebral blood flow, tissue microstructure, and blood brain barrier integrity, 2) to establish methods to permit acquisition of harmonized amyloid PET images across multiple centers using latest generation scanners and techniques, 3) acquire ultrahigh spatial resolution 7 tesla MRI images in ex-vivo brains of donors, and provide for comparison to subsequent histopathology, 4) perform detailed quality assurance and curation of data for dissemination to the NACC and broadly to the AD/ADRD research community, and 5) to train and mentor new and early career investigators in advanced imaging analysis techniques. The NIC builds on the strengths of the imaging environment in Northeast Ohio to enhance the imaging resources and data available to the AD/ADRD research community.