NIMH Instrumentation Core Facility

NIMH 仪器核心设施

• 批准号: 9568293
• 负责人: George Dold
• 金额: $ 136.38万
• 依托单位: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 至
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9568293
• 关键词: 3D Print; Address; Affect; Affective; Animals; Area; Attention; Basic Science; Behavioral; Brain; Brain region; Caliber; Ceramics; Clinical; Collaborations; Computer software; Confocal Microscopy; Consult; Core Facility; Custom; Data; Detection; Development; Device Designs; Devices; Drosophila genus; Effectiveness; Electrodes; Electronic Mail; Electrophysiology (science); Engineering; Environment; Equipment; Fiber Optics; Frequencies; Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Goals; Hair; Head; Hour; Human; Image; Imaging Techniques; Implant; Individual; Industrialization; Insecta; Institutes; Learning; Leg; Light; Link; Location; MRI Scans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Massage; Mechanics; Memory; Mental Depression; Metals; Methods; Microscope; Microscopy; Mind; Mission; Modeling; Modification; Monkeys; Movement; Mus; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institute of Mental Health; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Neuraxis; Neurologic; Neurons; Noise; Occupations; Operating Rooms; Operative Surgical Procedures; Optics; Pain; Penetration; Perfusion; Phase; Phonation; Phototoxicity; Positioning Attribute; Positron-Emission Tomography; Preparation; Primates; Printing; Production; Productivity; Radiochemistry; Radiopharmaceuticals; Rattus; Recommendation; Research; Research Personnel; Research Project Grants; Research Support; Rewards; Risk; Rodent; Route; Sampling; Science; Scientist; Sensory; Services; Short-Term Memory; Sterility; Stimulus; Stress; Surgeon; System; Techniques; Technology; Telephone; Test Result; Testing; Therapeutic Human Experimentation; Time; Tissues; Touch sensation; Walking; X-Ray Computed Tomography; arm; base; behavior test; cognitive process; cranium; data acquisition; design; design and construction; distraction; experience; fiberglass; fluorescence imaging; human subject; improved; instrument; instrumentation; locust; magnetic field; millimeter; molecular imaging; new technology; nonhuman primate; novel; pressure; prototype; quality assurance; radiotracer; research study; response; restraint; sensor; surgical research; two-photon; visual stimulus

This past year, our Section had the unique opportunity to support the research of various Labs & Sections within NIMH, NINDS, NICHD, and NCCIH. During the past twelve months, investigators from these labs and branches requested 465 formal projects from our staff. Each of these requests was documented and the time recorded to complete the job. In addition to the formal requests we are available daily for numerous walk-in, phone call or e-mail requests for assistance. In general, our technical support this past year can be divided into the following research areas: Electrophysiology The Section on Instrumentation staff continuously strives to improve the utility of various components that comprise electrophysiology. We have continued to improve the engineering and fabrication of multiple-hole grid arrays that allow precise, repeatable placement of a single or multiple electrodes over a wide area. We have also continued to develop small single-electrode microdrives. Novel methods using 3D printing now allow for the production low-component count yet accurate and smooth microdrives. Single unit recording in behaving nonhuman primates is widely used to study the primate central nervous system. However, certain questions cannot be addressed without recording large numbers of neurons simultaneously. In collaboration with NIMH scientific staff, the Section on Instrumentation developed a method using 3D printing to include an individualized 3D-printed connector mounting platform, allowing for implanting and recording from 8 arrays of 96 electrodes. This technique doubles the number of arrays that have been successfully implanted in single animals. fMRI The Section on Instrumentation provides a wide range of support for fMRI-related research. Fabrication of devices for use in MRI environments is a specialized area of expertise, with great attention given to design without ferrous metals and minimization of all metal components. In addition, commercial industrial fiber optic components and systems are evaluated and integrated into many designs and devices we fabricate. The Section on Instrumentation supports the installation of new equipment in MRI suites, including custom mirror and projection assemblies used for stimulus presentation, and custom RF-shielded penetration panels used to route cabling. Non-Human Primate (NHP) Our group is responsible for providing a wide range of engineering and fabrication services to support non-human primate research. Many of the mechanical assemblies that are necessary for this type of research are engineered and fabricated in-house. Our group provides a diverse array of custom systems and components to many different investigators, such as custom primate chairs, high-strength restraints, MRI positioning systems, custom head coils, reward systems, data acquisition, analysis and optical response systems, plus a wide range of small mechanical components. Using the 3D print capabilities of our shop, the Section on Instrumentation is assisting neurological researchers within the NIMH and other institutes in improving their pre-surgery preparations. With data provided and converted from CT and MRI scans, our section is able to print custom and detailed models of the individual monkeys skull and brain. These skulls and brains allow the surgeon and researchers to complete some of the necessary modifications and planning before entering the operating room, reducing surgery times, decreasing risks of complications, and maintaining sterility. Human Human research requires the creation of many novel devices that are compatible with the high-magnetic field environment. When a new magnet is installed, we are consulted with and provide the necessary components for presenting visual stimuli in the bore of the magnet, including image periscopes, screens, and mirrors. These devices are designed and manufactured with specific space and material constraints. The Section on Instrumentation provides a substantial amount of engineering support to the Section on PET Radiopharmaceutical Sciences in the Molecular Imaging Branch (MIB) in the production of short-lived radiotracers for research studies in human subjects with positron emission tomography (PET). A bubble point test (BPT) on the sterilizing filter is required before release of a PET radiopharmaceutical. Data logging is an important aspect of quality assurance. The Section on Instrumentation fabricated an automated data-logging BPT instrument. The fabricated BPT instrument gives accurate, reliable and data-loggable BPT results. Behavioral Several different types of mazes are used to study spatial learning and memory in rats. These studies have been used to help understand general principles about learning that can be applied to humans, and to determine what effect different treatments affect learning and memory in mice. We continue to produce a variety of custom T and Y mazes for behavioral testing. When you pick up a phone, remember a phone number and dial it, you are using your working memory. Working memory is a cognitive process which maintains information for a relative short time, and is one of the most important cognitive process which is crucial to the functioning of the mind. The T-maze delayed alternation task is a classic method to assess working memory in rodents. The task consists of a sample trial, a holding period and a test trial. In the sample trial, the animal is guided into one of the two arms to get a reward. After the sample trial, the animal is kept in the holding area for several seconds. Then in the test trial, the animal needs to go to the arm which it has not been to in the sample phase to get a reward. In order to eliminate any environmental distractions such as the movement of the investigator, we fabricated an automated T-maze. It detects the position and movement of the mouse, and operates the doors and delivers rewards automatically. Imaging Two-photon excitation microscopy is a fluorescence imaging technique that allows imaging of living tissue up to about one millimeter in depth. Two-photon excitation can be a superior alternative to confocal microscopy due to its deeper tissue penetration, efficient light detection, and reduced phototoxicity. The Section on Instrumentation produces a variety of equipment that supports two-photon microscopy, such as faraday cages for electronic and light shielding and custom mirror mounts. In addition, behavioral testing equipment such as low-inertia mouse wheels are fabricated for use with two-photon microscopy. Clinical Our Section also supports a number of clinical based research requests under the broad areas of surgical, therapeutic and basic research. Moderate and deep pressure touch are commonly utilized in massage therapy and have been linked to reductions in stress, depression, and pain. Yet there is no understanding of how pressure exerts these affective benefits. We recently developed a custom novel device that administers repeatable mechanical compression. This apparatus was used to identify the most pleasant intensity, frequency, and location for pressure stimulation of the lower leg. This device allowed the testing of the subject while undergoing fMRI to determine the brain regions that correspond to the sensory stimulation. Technology By using the latest technology in advanced fabrication machinery, we are able to increase productivity and effectiveness while at the same time decreasing the amount of time needed to engineer and machine the components. Our waterjet cutter continues to increase our cutting and fabricating capabilities, especially with the multiple fiberglass parts we produce. With this system, we were able to drill a hole the approximate diameter of 4 human hairs through a ceramic screw.

去年，我们的部门获得了独特的机会来支持 NIMH、NINDS、NICHD 和 NCCIH 内各个实验室和部门的研究。在过去 12 个月中，这些实验室和分支机构的研究人员向我们的员工请求了 465 个正式项目。每个请求都被记录下来，并记录完成工作的时间。除了正式请求外，我们每天还可以接受大量上门、电话或电子邮件请求以寻求帮助。 总的来说，我们这一年的技术支持可以分为以下几个研究领域： 电生理学 仪器部门的工作人员不断努力提高构成电生理学的各种组件的实用性。我们不断改进多孔网格阵列的工程和制造，允许在大面积上精确、可重复地放置单个或多个电极。我们还继续开发小型单电极微驱动器。 现在，使用 3D 打印的新方法可以生产少量元件但又准确、平滑的微驱动器。 非人类灵长类动物行为的单单位记录被广泛用于研究灵长类动物中枢神经系统。然而，如果不同时记录大量神经元，某些问题就无法得到解决。仪器部门与 NIMH 科学人员合作，开发了一种使用 3D 打印的方法，其中包括个性化的 3D 打印连接器安装平台，允许从 8 个阵列（每组 96 个电极）进行植入和记录。这项技术使已成功植入单个动物体内的阵列数量增加了一倍。 功能磁共振成像 仪器部分为功能磁共振成像相关研究提供广泛的支持。 MRI 环境中使用的设备的制造是一个专门的专业领域，非常注重不含黑色金属的设计和最小化所有金属组件。此外，商业工业光纤组件和系统经过评估并集成到我们制造的许多设计和设备中。 仪器部分支持在 MRI 套件中安装新设备，包括用于刺激呈现的定制镜子和投影组件，以及用于布线的定制射频屏蔽穿透面板。 非人类灵长类动物 (NHP) 我们的团队负责提供广泛的工程和制造服务以支持非人类灵长类动物研究。此类研究所需的许多机械组件都是内部设计和制造的。我们的团队为许多不同的研究人员提供各种定制系统和组件，例如定制灵长类动物椅子、高强度约束装置、MRI 定位系统、定制头部线圈、奖励系统、数据采集、分析和光学响应系统，以及广泛的一系列小型机械部件。利用我们商店的 3D 打印功能，仪器部门正在协助 NIMH 和其他机构的神经学研究人员改进他们的术前准备工作。通过 CT 和 MRI 扫描提供和转换的数据，我们的部门能够打印个体猴子头骨和大脑的定制和详细模型。这些头骨和大脑使外科医生和研究人员能够在进入手术室之前完成一些必要的修改和计划，从而减少手术时间、降低并发症风险并保持无菌状态。 人类 人类研究需要创造许多与高磁场环境兼容的新颖设备。安装新磁铁时，我们会咨询并提供必要的组件，以便在磁铁的孔中呈现视觉刺激，包括图像潜望镜、屏幕和镜子。这些设备的设计和制造受到特定空间和材料的限制。 仪器科为分子成像分支 (MIB) 的 PET 放射性药物科学科提供了大量的工程支持，用于生产短寿命放射性示踪剂，用于利用正电子发射断层扫描 (PET) 对人类受试者进行研究。 在释放 PET 放射性药物之前，需要对灭菌过滤器进行泡点测试 (BPT)。 数据记录是质量保证的一个重要方面。仪器部门制造了一个自动数据记录 BPT 仪器。 制造的 BPT 仪器可提供准确、可靠且可记录数据的 BPT 结果。 行为方面 几种不同类型的迷宫用于研究大鼠的空间学习和记忆。这些研究被用来帮助理解可应用于人类的学习的一般原理，并确定不同的治疗对小鼠学习和记忆的影响。我们继续生产各种用于行为测试的定制 T 和 Y 迷宫。 当您拿起电话、记住电话号码并拨打时，您就在使用工作记忆。工作记忆是一种在相对较短的时间内保存信息的认知过程，是对大脑功能至关重要的最重要的认知过程之一。 T 迷宫延迟交替任务是评估啮齿动物工作记忆的经典方法。该任务包括样本试验、保留期和测试试验。在样本试验中，动物被引导到两条手臂之一中以获得奖励。样品试验结束后，动物被放置在暂留区几秒钟。然后在测试中，动物需要走到样本阶段没有去过的手臂上以获得奖励。为了消除任何环境干扰（例如调查员的移动），我们制作了一个自动化 T 迷宫。它检测鼠标的位置和移动，并自动操作门并发送奖励。 影像学 双光子激发显微镜是一种荧光成像技术，可以对活组织进行约一毫米深度的成像。 双光子激发由于其更深的组织穿透性、高效的光检测和降低的光毒性，可以成为共焦显微镜的更好替代方案。 仪器部分生产各种支持双光子显微镜的设备，例如用于电子和光屏蔽的法拉第笼以及定制镜架。 此外，还制造了低惯性鼠标轮等行为测试设备，用于双光子显微镜。 临床 我们的科室还支持外科、治疗和基础研究广泛领域内的许多临床研究请求。中度和深度的压力触摸通常用于按摩疗法，可以减轻压力、抑郁和疼痛。然而，人们并不了解压力如何产生这些情感益处。 我们最近开发了一种定制的新型设备，可以进行可重复的机械压缩。 该装置用于确定小腿压力刺激最令人愉快的强度、频率和位置。 该设备允许在进行功能磁共振成像时对受试者进行测试，以确定与感觉刺激相对应的大脑区域。 技术 通过使用先进制造机械的最新技术，我们能够提高生产率和效率，同时减少设计和加工组件所需的时间。我们的水刀切割机不断提高我们的切割和制造能力，尤其是我们生产的多种玻璃纤维零件。借助该系统，我们能够通过陶瓷螺钉钻出直径约为 4 根人类头发的孔。