Siemens Prisma 3T at Emory Brain Health Center

MR Scanner

The Siemens Magnetom Prisma 3T whole-body MR system is equipped with

  • a state-of-the art gradient system with a maximum (per axis) strength of 80 mT/m and slew rate of 200 T/m/sec
  • 64 independent RF receiver channels capable of 204 receiver connections
  • a 2-channel RF transmitter.

Multiple coils are available, including

  • a 64-channel head/neck coil with 52 channels for imaging of the head region
  • a 32-channel head-only coil
  • a 20-channel head/neck coil with 16 channels for head
  • spine array coil
  • flexible chest coil
  • large and small flexible coil for extremity imaging

It runs the Siemens Syngo VE11C software. In addition, it is equipped with DirectRF and DirectConnect technology, providing a significant increase in signal-to-noise ratio.

The Prisma scanner platform allows efficient acquisition of high-resolution fMRI and DTI images with protocols comparable to those released by the Human Connectome Project.

A number of advanced research sequences are also available, including

  • Vessel Size Imaging
  • quantitative Arterial Spin Labeling
  • Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (for High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging)
  • Simultaneous Multi-Slice EPI (allowing for sub-second high-resolution whole-brain fMRI data acquisition)
  • displacement encoding (DENSE)
  • multi-echo and ultra-short echo time sequences

Stimulus and response system for functional MRI

This MR scanner suite is equipped with peripheral systems for fMRI.

  • Stimulus/response controls for behavioral tasks concurrent with fMRI are supported by an array of hardware specifically designed to allow investigator flexibility and precision.
  • Visual presentation is provided by a Cambridge Research Systems 24" BOLDScreen MRI compatible LED displays.
  • Audio presentation is provided by an Avotec Silent Scan 3100 that has been calibrated to maintain sound pressure levels that are dependent directly on input (flat frequency response +/- 4dB, 200-4500Hz range).
  • FMRI feedback can be taken by a set of response devices from Current Designs.
These setups are connected through a single switch that signals TTL trigger pulses, and allow connectivity to an investigator’s laptop with non-proprietary connections (USB, 1/8” (3.5mm) minijack stereo audio, VGA & DVI). A dedicated stimulus and response monitoring computer running Eprime 3.0 is provided for users preferring to run their paradigms without bringing in a computer.