Program

The detailed program guide for the Scientific Workshop is available for download here.

The program will consist of 17 invited speakers, proffered papers and two poster discussion sessions. The aims are to cover the latest topics in functional MRI, provide training on the latest methods, and provide a forum for rich discussion on controversies, and future directions as well as on interpretations of new methods. Attendance will be limited to 100 attendees to ensure an intimate forum for discussion.

Overview

This workshop will offer opportunities for in-depth presentations and discussions on the developments in imaging brain function with focus on multimodality approaches for producing unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, and macroscopic approaches for analyzing brain function at the level of networks.

In the past 20 years fMRI has seen explosive growth in its development and applications in both the neurosciences and clinically. More recent developments have focused on the use of fMRI in combination with various other imaging modalities to explore the neurophysiological response to stimulation, on the microscopic scale as well as macroscopically. Macroscopically work is moving from analysis of individual functional subunits to the investigation of activation patterns in the context of connectivity and networks.

This workshop will provide an opportunity for physicists, neurophysiologists, and those using fMRI clinically to understand the latest developments in the field and to evaluate their impact on the field in the future.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Describe multimodality approaches that are currently being developed/used to better understand the neurophysiological response of the brain to stimulation.
• Understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches discussed and the types of issues they can and cannot address.
• Evaluate progress in moving from single focal activation experiments to more comprehensive experiments involving networks of brain function.
• Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the present approaches to developing network models of brain activity.
• Describe the different levels at which network theory can be used to investigate brain function both in terms of answering basic questions in neuroscience and as it may be applied to assessing clinical populations.

Audience Description

This workshop is aimed at neuroscientists, neurophysiologists, and MR physicists involved in the study of brain function both marcoscopically at the level of networks and neurophysiologically. It will be presented at a level that will impact two broad categories of people:

1. those with some knowledge of the neurophysiological response of the brain upon activation but who are not necessarily experts in fMRI
2. those who are involved in fMRI at the level of methods development and/or applications.

The focus of the sessions will be on introducing the current challenges and gaps in our knowledge and presenting state-of-the-art emerging methods and experiments aimed at solving these challenges or filling these gaps in knowledge.