This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This Imaging Core is established in the Neuroscience Division of the Washington National Primate Research Center. During the fourth year of the funding (2005-2006), we have developed infrastructure to support innovative imaging technology such as in vivo cell tracking, axonal transport mapping, and tracer development for PET and MR imaging. Emphasis was made for this Core to promote a 'Translational Imaging Research', permitting various investigators to use this facility for research involving rodents to humans centered at non-human primate research. This allows more widespread use of the facility as a part of the mission of NCRR. PET imaging projects supported in this Core include 1) vesicular monoamine transporter imaging of non-human primates in Parkinson's disease model; 2) glucose metabolic imaging of conscious monkeys with stimulation via implanted electrode; 3) glucose metabolic imaging of normal and diabetic human brains during memory task performance; and 4) biodistribution studies of gene/drug delivery vehicles in rats. We have developed multivariate tracer kinetic analyses for the evaluation of tracer biodistribution in whole animals. MR imaging projects include 1) the evaluation of axonal transport in aging rodents and application to non-human primates and 2) in vivo tracking for neural stem cells and immune cells. Both methods are initially developed using small animals (rodents) and/or blood samples from non-human primates for testing and validations and then will be applied to non-human primates in vivo. The wet laboratory established adjacent to the PET imaging suite is used to support new tracer development and to process labeling of neuro stem cells and immune cells for MR imaging. Since January 2006, PET and wet laboratories have been under renovation for the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, which will allow further collaborative research with neuroscience investigators. The new imaging techniques developed in this Core will support various collaborative research projects.
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