The relationships between brain cell metabolism and functional activity, studies of amino-acid metabolism and the effects of pharmacological agents basic studies of glucose metabolism and mechanisms of glucose homeostasis. New NMR-based functional brain imaging methods for assessing neuronal activation in response to specific cognitive and sensory stimuli. Susceptibility contrast effects from alterations in blood oxygenation in the microvasculature that can be used to detect regional brain activation. This application is unique in that it involves the combined efforts of scientists who are leaders in spectroscopic studies of metabolism and physiology, in imaging of brain functional activity and other aspects of MR imaging science, as well as leading neuroscientists. A high degree of synergy will occur between the spectroscopic and imaging studies, and the resource will be the primary system for advanced NMR applications serving an experienced community of users.
