THE NEUROCIRCUITRY
OF MIND: FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING INVESTIGATIONS OF BRAIN
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
The over-all goal of the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences is to establish a collaborative
and multi-investigator neuroimaging environment that is focused on the
investigation of the neurocircuitry of the brain that underlies cognition,
perception and action, and also the development of clinical applications
that enhance the goals of personalized medicine.
Within this environment the specific current research interests of the
Hirsch group include several related directions of investigation. The
first is conscious and subconscious neural processes that mediate emotion
and cognition in healthy individuals and in patients with psychiatric
disorders. This direction also includes neurocircuitry that is characteristic
of disorders of consciousness such as minimally conscious or vegetative
states, self and visual awareness, and attention. Neurocircuitry of
other complex cognitive processes such as decisions, inductive and deductive
reasoning, language, truthfulness and “top-down” influences
of expectation, reward, and regulation on early visual and mid-level
perceptual and emotional systems.
On-going projects targeted for clinical applications include benefits
for neurosurgery such as the development of task batteries to map the
cortical locations of essential functions such as language, motor, sensation,
memory, emotion and sensory functions including visions, audition and
the chemical senses. Computational innovations for labeling correspondence
between brain structure and specific functional regions are under development
to achieve the highest interpretive precision. Current projects include
integration of EEG and fMRI techniques to localize seizuregenic cortex
in relation to eloquent and functioning cortex for neurosurgical planning;
integration of TMS and fMRI to discriminate essential and associative
language-sensitive cortical areas; and integration of VEP, EEG and fMRI
to inform assessments of visual disease secondary to stroke or neural
degeneration. Projects intended to refine and enhance diagnosis of psychiatric
disorders such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders include
development of specialized paradigms to target dysfunctional neurocircuitry
such as emotional systems (amygdala and basal ganglia) and control and
regulatory systems (cingulate and pre-frontal cortex). Comparison of
before-treatment images with after-treatment images to inform models
of both treatment and disease and investigation of the hypothesis that
individual genetic and functional differences have predictive value
for treatment options and outcome are currently underway. The lab has
pioneered techniques for functional mapping of single patients, and
operates an active clinical service for mapping individuals for neurosurgical
planning, assessments of the neurocircuitry that underlie acquired or
inherited disabilities and the mechanisms of neuroplasticity that restore
lost functions are actively investigated using both groups and single
subject studies.
Etkin, A., Egner, T., Peraza, D.M., Kandel, E.R., Hirsch, J.,
Resolving emotional conflict: a model for amygdalar modulation by the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, Neuron 51, 1–12, September 7, 2006.
Egner, T., Hirsch, J., Cognitive control mechanisms resolve conflict
through cortical amplification of Task-Relevant information, Nature
Neuroscience, 8 (12), 1784-1790, 2005. Nieuwenhuis, S., Yeung, N., Neural
mechanisms of attention and control: losing our inhibitions?, News & Views, Nature Neuroscience, 8 (12), 1631-1633, 2005.
Summerfield, C., Egner, T., Mangels, J., Hirsch, J., Mistaking a House
for a Face: Neural Correlates of Misperception in Healthy Humans, Cerebral
Cortex, In Press, 2005.
Egner, T., Hirsch, J., Where Memory Meets Attention: Neural Substrates
of Negative Priming, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 17:11, 1774-1784,
2005.
Talati, A., Hirsch, J., Functional specialization within the medial
frontal gyrus for perceptual “go/no-go” decisions based on
“what”, ‘when”, and “where” related information:
an fMRI study, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 17 (7): 981-993, 2005
Schiff, N.D., Rodriguez-Moreno. D., Kamal, A., Kim, K.H.S., Giacino,
J.T., Plum, F., Hirsch, J. fMRI Reveals Large Scale Network Activation
in Minimally Conscious Patients, Neurology, Vol 64, 514-523, 2005.
Hirsch, J., Raising Consciousness, Journal of Clinical Investigation,
Vol 115 (5), 1102-1103, 2005.
Nuñez, J.M., Casey, B. J., Egner, T., Hare, T., Hirsch, J., Intentional
False Responding Shares Neural Substrates With Response Conflict and
Cognitive Control, NeuroImage, Vol 25, 267-277, 2005.
Egner, T., Hirsch, J., The neural correlates of functional connectivity
of cognitive control in a Stroop task, NeuroImage, Vol 24, 539-547,
2005
Klein, A., Hirsch, J., Mindboggle: a scatterbrained approach to automate
brain labeling, NeuroImage, Vol 24, 261-280, 2005.
Etkin, A., Klemenhagen, K., Dudman, J., Rogan, M., Hen, R., Kandel,
E., Hirsch, J. Individual Differences in Trait Anxiety Predict the Response
of the Basolateral Amygdala to Unconsciously Processed Threat, Neuron,
Vol 44, 1043-1055, 2004. |
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FACILITIES DESCRIPTION
Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences
Columbia University
Joy Hirsch, Ph.D., Director
Professor of Functional NeuroRadiology,
Neuroscience, and Psychology
Departments of Radiology and Psychology
Center for Neurobiology and Behavior
 The Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences (PICS) has recently been established at Columbia University Medical Center in the Department of Radiology to lead emerging new directions in interdisciplinary biological, behavioral, and imaging sciences. It builds upon the combined strengths of two imaging centers, the fMRI Research Center and the Hatch Research Center, now organized under a single structure which functions as a university-wide, cross-disciplinary core facility for advances in neural and biomedical imaging sciences. PICS is directed by Joy Hirsch, Ph.D., Professor of Functional Neuroradiology, Neuroscience, and Psychology, and aims to catalyze leading investigations of brain, mind, and body toward understanding the physiological basis of cognition, disability and disease. Additionally, PICS aims to pioneer the applications of these advances for the benefit of patient care as well as for the well-being of healthy individuals. Located in the Neurological Institute, the facility includes three state-of-the-art MRI scanners (two 1.5T and one 3.0T), advanced imaging technologies including functional imaging, DTI, ASL, animal imaging, cardiac imaging, body imaging, and spectroscopy; multiple related modalities such as TMS, EEG, biomarkers, response variables, and behavioral measures; as well as advanced computational and visualization tools.
The PICS model is based on the premise that fundamental insights into the biology of mind, brain, and body in health and disease will emerge from both questions and unifying principles that cross boundaries of traditional disciplines. Accordingly, the uniquely diverse medical and academic disciplines that are interconnected by PICS include specialties such as radiology, neurology, psychiatry, surgery, pharmacology, oncology, medicine, cardiology, human genetics, comparative sciences, physiology, biology, behavioral and social sciences, decision sciences, psychology, business, law, finance, economics, political science, sociology, philosophy, art, music, linguistics, theoretical modeling, engineering, biomedical informatics, and computer and physical sciences. The organizational structure of PICS is intended to foster innovative synergies across these traditional disciplines and translational biosciences, and includes a centralized computer system specialized for the integration of images, biomarkers, physiology, and behavior. Collaborations between PICS and the Kreitchman PET Center, imaging centers in Psychiatry, Biomedical Engineering as well as corporate and private sector relationships also facilitate goals for advances in clinical service, imaging sciences, excellence in education, community outreach, and scientific leadership at Columbia University.
The Facility
The lower level of the Neurological Institute Building on the Columbia-Presbyterian
Campus houses the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences directed by Joy Hirsch, Ph.D.,
Professor of Functional Neuroradiology in the Department of Radiology
and the Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, as well as the Biomedical Engineering Imaging Core. These neighboring facilities represent
a joint initiative to develop imaging at Columbia shared by the Fu
Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Department
of Radiology within the Columbia University School of Medicine. The addition of a 3.0T (GE) scanner in the Psychiatric
Institute also enables investigations with high field fMRI.
The schematic illustrates the architecture of the Program:
The Center Environment:
Personnel: The full-time staff of the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences share
technical and organizational expertise that assures the successful
execution of each individual research program.
Director: Joy Hirsch, Ph.D., Professor is ultimately responsible
for the research directions and productivity of the program. She is
a neuroscientist/psychologist who has ten years experience in innovative
functional imaging. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr.
Hirsch developed and implemented a standardized protocol for neurosurgical
planning and at Columbia University she directs a program focused
on hypotheses and models related to neural systems that mediate cognition,
perception, and action. She directs a large number of graduate students
working on areas that include cortical systems related to logical
operations, motor planning, the perception and treatment of pain,
the neurobiology and treatment of anxiety, language acquisition and
linguistics, computational modeling, olfaction and vision which have
led to numerous discoveries and insights into the organization of
human brain function. The laboratory also cooperates to teach a graduate
course on Function Mapping of Human Perception and Cognition. She
initiates and manages collaborations relevant to the mission of the
Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences and, to this end, is strongly committed to the
implementation of an interdisciplinary neuroimaging program that employs
multiple methodologies and investigators to investigate questions
related to the brain and behavior.
Program Management: Ray Cappiello manages personnel and equipment,
maintains vendor relationships, and secures quality and safety assurances.
He calibrates and tests all supplementary equipment on a regular basis,
implements upgrades and enhancements as needed to assist in the development
of novel uses. He also manages and develops all visual, auditory,
and sensory stimulation and, along with Steve Dashnaw, integrates
stimulus presentations with the recording of physiological responses
and image acquisitions. He supervises the development of all new stimulation
protocols and archives all stimuli employed for functional studies.
Along with the Systems Manager, Ray maintains a network of computers
and the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences's Server. Ray has been in the lab for
approximately 10 years and moved with the lab from MSKCC.
Clinical Research Coordinator: Lacey Whitmire manages clinical research
projects. She maintains appropriate documentation, supervises paradigm
and stimuli creation, schedules experiment times, and participates
in review and project team meetings. She works directly with students
and collaborators to accomplish the specific goals of the individual
study. Lacey also acts as a liaison with the Institutional Review Board
to assure the protection of human subjects and compliance with all
regulations. Lacey joined the lab in 2006.
Systems and Information Technology Manager: Lokke Highstein manages
the computer system that provides image processing and analysis functions
for all users. He instructs lab members and students in the use of
software and implements and maintains appropriate secondary and back-up
systems that assure adequate protection of data. He takes precautions
to ensure appropriate levels of data security and protection of patient
confidentiality including managing user accounts and securities. He
manages the system so that a maximum of resources are available and
addresses new computational challenges as they arise. Additionally,
He supervises a data processing specialist. Lokke joined the laboratory
in 2007.
MR Imaging Supervisor: Stephen Dashnaw is responsible for all
operation of the scanner for routine research scanning. As a certified
MR technician with a background in MR engineering and extensive specialized
training in multiple MR applications, he has seventeen years of imaging
experience and is skilled in the implementation of functional paradigms.
In addition, he prepares and maintains all ancillary research equipment
for use in functional magnetic resonance imaging and works closely
with Ray Cappiello in this regard. Steve has been a member of the
laboratory for approximately three years before the move to Columbia.
Administrative Support: Bertha Pham manages all administration
and documentation related to personnel, operations, facilities, collaborations,
students, post-docs, grant applications, manuscript preparation, subject
and patient registration and correspondence. She ensures the smooth
functioning of daily lab operations. Bertha joined the lab in 2007.
Faculty Affiliations and Advisors: The Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences
is affiliated with other members of the Columbia faculty who provide
expertise and skills that facilitate the mission of the laboratory.
These individuals are listed below:
Physician and Faculty Affiliations:
1. Arthur Mandel, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatric Neurology.
Dr. Mandel is developing fMRI techniques for studying patients with
metabolic disorders, and has a particular interest in patients with
deficiencies of energy metabolism.
2. Sarah H. Lisanby, M.D., Associate Professor of Clinical
Psychiatry. Dr. Lisanby is a specialist with independent research
programs and qualified for Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation related
to the study and treatment of depression and emotion systems. She
heads the TMS unit within the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences and she directs
and/or supervises the TMS procedures, participates in and/or directs
TMS/fMRI related research efforts and instructs other investigators
in the use of TMS.
3. Guy McKhann, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurological
Surgery. Dr. McKhann is a collaborator on projects to develop intraoperative
brain mapping techniques to identify movement, sensory, and language
areas of the brain to prevent morbidity during neurosurgery. His research
interests brain organization and reorganization of language and sensorimotor
function.
4. Angela Lignelli, M.D., Assistant Professor of Radiology.
Dr. Lignelli is a collaborator on projects to develop brain mapping
for clinical applications including neurosurgical planning and rehabilitation.
Research Fellows:
1. Tobias Egner, Ph.D. Post-Doc Fellow in the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences.
Interests include models of cognitive control and conflict resolution.
2. Jack Grinband, Ph.D., Post-Doc Fellow in the Center for
Neurobiology and Behavior. His interests include the application of
fMRI to models of decision making and comparisons with monkey electrophysiology.
3. Xian Zhang, Ph.D. Post-Doc Fellow in the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences and the Department of Psychology. Interests include
clinical applications of electrphysiological visual evoked responses
and functional MRI to investigate early and high-level visual processes.
4. Diana Rodriguez-Moreno, Ph.D. Post-Doc Fellow in the Program for Imaging and Cognitive Sciences. Interests include neurocircuitry of deductive reasoning
and models of consciousness. Current research program is focused on
studies of active systems during states of minimal consciousness secondary
to traumatic brain injury.
Certifications and Standards
1. Certification for Good Clinical Practices
Joy Hirsch June 2001
Steve Dashnaw June 2002
2. Medical Surveillance Examinations
Joy Hirsch June 20022
Ray Cappiello June 20023. Large Animal Users Training 23 August 2002
Joy Hirsch 23 August, 2002
Steve Dashnaw 23 August 2002
4. Basic Cardiac Life Support2
Steve Dashnaw 24 September 2002
5. Safety Certifications:
Approved Code / Crash Cart Adult, Peds (September 12, 2002)Mandatory ACR Safety Lecture (all staff and students)
6. ACR Standards for site:
Scanner Cals : Clinical Equivalency
Site Area divisions
Personnel: Permission levels
7. Provisions to assure confidentiality and computer security of database
HIPAA regulations.8. Scanner operations
Application certifications (Oct 9, 10, 11, 2002)
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Department of Radiology