Feasibility of the Direct Detection of Neuronal Currents by NMR: status,comparison between High and Ultra-Low field techniques and proposal of a new detection scheme

by Prof. A. M. Cassara' ("Enrico Fermi" Center & G1 Group, Department of Physics University of Rome "La Sapienza")

Thursday 19 Jun 2008, 16:00 → 17:00 Europe/Rome

Aula Rasetti (Dip. Fisica - Edificio G.Marconi)

The feasibility of the direct detection of the neuronal currents in the brain by means of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is one of the main goal in medical research today for diagnostic purposes (epilepsy) and for the study of the brain function still without clear solution. The seminar will a) show the results of recent advanced biophysical simulations of the neuronal activity aimed at predicting possible induced NMR signals detectable with available clinical scanners (1 and 3T); b) propose a new, promising detection scheme based on Ultra-Low Field NMR, using precession magnetic fields on the order of the earth magnetic field (50 uT) or lower and based on the resonant mechanism.