Magnetic Resonance, General Clinical Research Center at the University of Minnesota

Welcome to the MR Core of the General Clinical Research Center:

The mission of the core is to provide researchers performing clinical research access to the human high-field MR systems located at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR). Access is established by providing advice on this new emerging technology and by providing guidance to the possibilities and research opportunities at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR). We provide assistance in setting up scan protocols, experimental design, conduct some of the studies and consult on safety issues for MR scans.

Core Personnel:

Gulin Öz, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Core Director

Ivan Tkac, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Casey Tuck, MR Technician, Department of Psychiatry

Facilities:

The MR Core provides access to the following magnets at the Center for MR Research:

The MR Core provides access to the following infrastructure at the CMRR:

Glucose analyzer and microfuge
Infusion pumps for administering substances such as glucose, insulin, somatostatin
Fully equipped InVivo Research Patient monitoring system integrated into the 4 Tesla scanner (end-tidal CO2, pulseoxymetry, ECG, and blood pressure monitoring) and additional stand-alone pulseoxymeter and blood pressure monitoring devices

The MR Core administers the following space at the CMRR:

Patient Room (Rm 111E) - providing two full hospital beds, equipped to handle two simultaneous overnight studies at the Center
Clean Storage Room (Rm 111B) - Storage of monitoring equipment, supplies and linen
Soiled Storage Room (Rm 111G) and ambulance bay (Rm. 111D)
Patient Bathroom (Rm 111H)
Procedure Room (Rm 117A) - provides the infrastructure to conduct glucose infusions in the human 7 Tesla and 4 Tesla magnets, houses glucose analyzer, infusion pumps
Physician's Room (Rm 111A) - desk space for clinical collaborators, provides access to the internet and computing resources at the CMRR
Procedure Room (Rm 136C) – provides the infrastructure to conduct glucose infusions in the 3 Tesla, stores projector used for visual presentations at 3T

From our ongoing activities:

Sample publications that resulted from activities of this core:

Öz G, Henry PG, Seaquist ER, Gruetter R (2003) “Direct, Noninvasive Measurement of Brain Glycogen Metabolism in Humans” Neurochem Int 43: 323-329.
Öz G, Tkác I, Charnas LR, Choi IY, Bjoraker KJ, Shapiro EG, Gruetter R (2005) "Assessment of Adrenoleukodystrophy Lesions by High Field MRS in Non-sedated Pediatric Patients" Neurology 64: 434-441.
Criego A B, Tkác I, Kumar A, Thomas W, Gruetter R, Seaquist ER (2005) “Brain glucose concentrations in patients with type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness” J Neurosci Res 79: 42-7.
Seaquist ER, Tkác I, Damberg G, Thomas W, Gruetter R (2005) “Brain glucose concentrations in poorly controlled diabetes mellitus as measured by high-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy” Metabolism 54: 1008-13
Gruetter R, Seaquist ER, Ugurbil K (2001) A mathematical model of compartmentalized neurotransmitter metabolism in the human brain. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 281: E100-12.
Seaquist ER, Tkac I, Gruetter R (2001) Glucose transport kinetics in cerebral gray and white matter during physiologic insulinemia. Diabetes 50: 2203-9
Chen W, Zhu X, Gruetter R, Seaquist E, Adriany G, Ugurbil K (2001) Study of Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Flux Changes in Human Visual Cortex during Hemifield Visual Stimulation using 1H-{13C} MRS and fMRI. Magn Reson Med 45: 349-55
Meisamy S, Bolan PJ, Baker EH, Bliss RL, Gulbahce E, Everson LI, Nelson MT, Emory TH, Tuttle TM, Lee D, Garwood M (2004) “Neoadjuvant chemotherapy of locally advanced breast cancer: predicting response with in vivo (1)H MR spectroscopy--a pilot study at 4 T” Radiology, Nov;233(2): 424-31.
Meisamy S, Bolan PJ, Baker EH, Pollema MG, Le CT, Kelcz F, Lechner MC, Luikens BA, Carlson RA, Brandt KR, Amrami KK, Nelson MT, Everson LI, Emory TH, Tuttle TM, Yee D, Garwood M (2005) “Adding in vivo quantitative 1H MR spectroscopy to improve diagnostic accuracy of breast MR imaging: preliminary results of observer performance study at 4.0 T” Radiology 236(2): 465-75

Glucose/insulin clamp procedure in
the 4Tesla human system (#482)

Healthy volunteers :

Information (click here): How do I sign up for MR Scans ?

Patients and Volunteers (IMPORTANT)

While MR does not contain any known biological risks and thus is one of the safest diagnostic modalities, an MR scan is not without danger. The major danger comes from magnetic objects being introduced into the magnet room or by scanning patients that do not match our inclusion criteria. With appropriate questioning and screening these dangers can be minimized.

If you are planning to enter the Center (whether as a subject, patient, or accompanying medical personnel), be sure to strictly adhere to safety guidelines and required actions. At all times you must comply with Center personnel instruction while in the building. (Directions to the Center for MR Research)