PHRM 5255 Introduction to MR imaging and its Applications to Neuroscience Research

2 SCH. In this course students will learn the phenomenological basis of magnetic resonance (MR) and image generation. Students will learn how the MR phenomena can be used to gain insights about metabolism, physiology, function, and structure of the brain. We will employ basic physics concepts of magnetism, engineering, and mathematical formulations used to form the broad range of image contrasts available to MR researchers. We will contrast human and animal MR studies to gain a deeper understanding about MR imaging and how it can be successfully deployed in research. We will cover basic endogenous contrasts such as: T1, T2, proton density. Then we will provide a more in-depth coverage of contemporary contrasts in human and animal imaging: diffusion (to study brain structure), functional (to study brain function), flow/susceptibility (to study physiology), and magnetization transfer (to study metabolism). We will use data acquired at UNTHSC PIC to learn the basic of image analysis.
Offered Fall
Letter Grade