fMRI Course

fMRI has revolutionized the study of the brain. We can now "see" what people are "thinking." Come explore applications of fMRI to neurosurgery. Course Overview: During most MRI procedures, there is no need for interaction between the administrator of the test and the patient. The situation is quite the opposite in functional MRI (fMRI), where the neurological status of the patient must be assessed; an appropriate paradigm must be selected based on the neurological assessment and prior MRI examinations. Further, the paradigm must be delivered to and successfully performed by the patient while in the MRI machine. In addition, there is a rather complicated analysis of the fMRI and diffusion tractography data, which must be performed and assessed. How to properly perform these tasks is often not addressed during residency and fellowship training or in annual scientific society meetings. Educational Objectives: - Understand the fundamental principles behind fMRI and diffusion tractography - Choose the optimal fMRI paradigms appropriate for the patient and clinical situation - Deliver fMRI paradigms correctly and monitor the patient for adequate compliance - Hands on experience so that the attendee will be able to analyze fMRI and diffusion tractography - Understand how data is delivered to a neurosurgical navigational system and used by the neurosurgeon - Avoid pitfalls in the interpretation of clinical fMRI and diffusion tractography - Optimize fMRI billing and coding Target Audience: Clinicians involved in fMRI, including neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and neurologists.