MRI scanner console equipment

MindCORE Neuroimaging Facility

Equipment

MRI

  • 3T Cima.X scanner
  • BOLDscreen LCD monitor
  • Current Designs response collection system
  • SR Research Eyelink 1000 Plus eye-tracking system
  • Sensimetric Model S14 Insert Earphones
  • Mock MRI scanner with motion tracking system

EEG

  • BrainVision actiCHamp amplifier
  • 64-channel actiCAP active electrode caps (sizes from 46 to 60cm for children and adults)

Space

  • Participant changing room with lockers
  • Three behavioral testing rooms
  • Electrically-shielded room with Murphy bed suitable for EEG/sleep experiments
  • Conference room
  • Co-working office space

The MindCORE Neuroimaging Facility houses a state of the art Siemens Cima.X 3.0T MRI scanner (XA61-SP1 software version), which is equipped with Gemini Gradients. These advanced gradients have the highest commercially available gradient strenth in a whole-body scanner (200 mT/m at 200 T/m/s). The Cima.X scanner is equipped with scan sequences including: simultaneous multi-slice (AKA multi-band), RESOLVE, HASTE, and ZOOMit for performing functional, structural, diffusion, and ASL imaging. Available coils include 20-, 32-, and 64-channel head coils, large and small flex coils, and a spine coil. The MRI scanner bore is 60 cm.

The scanner room is equipped with MR-compatible behavioral equipment including: a BOLDscreeen 32 monitor (Cambridge Research System), a fiber optic response system (Current Designs) including button box and joystick, both in-ear (Sensimetrics model S14) and over-the-ear headphones, and an eye tracking system (Eyelink 1000). The Facility will provide a fiber optic microphone (Optoacoustics FOMRI-III) with adaptive noise cancelling capabilities. The microphone features perpendicual dual channels; response frequencies from 50-20,000 Hz; maximum sound pressure level (SPL) 130 dB SPL; less than 1% total harmonic distortion at 94 dB SPL; sampling frequencies of either 8,000 or 16,000 Hz; and latencies as low as 16 ms. Post-processing software (OptiMRI) performs real-time speech enhancement using noise reduction algorithms optimized for acoustic MRI characteristics. Stimuli may be presented using either a dedicated stimulus presentation computer equipped with Psychtoolbox for Matlab and PsychoPy or with a researcher-supplied laptop.

The Facility also houses a state-of-the-art 64-channel EEG system (BrainVision LLC), designed to support high-resolution neural data acquisition across a range of cognitive neuroscience paradigms. The core of the system is the actiCHamp Plus amplifier, which provides high input impedance and active shielding for low-noise signal acquisition. The amplifier is used in conjunction with BrainVision Recorder software, ensuring flexible and precise data capture.

The system includes multiple actiCAP slim 32-channel electrode bundles, allowing for full 64-channel coverage using active electrodes that minimize signal degradation. Electrode placement is facilitated through a set of actiCAP Snap caps in various sizes (46cm–60cm) tailored for children and adults. These caps are made of high-comfort, white fabric and use oval cuts with subtemporal or subinion layouts, allowing consistent electrode placement and participant comfort during extended recordings.

EEG data are collected in an electrically-shielded and sound-attenuated recording room, minimizing environmental noise and electrical interference. Stimulus presentation is delivered via a high-refresh-rate (165Hz) display monitor, synchronized with the EEG system using a TriggerBox Plus for millisecond-level timing precision. We also utilize a StimTrak kit and acoustic stimulator adapter for precise integration of auditory and auxiliary physiological signals.

Further facilities include a participant changing room with secure lockers, a waiting room for participants and those accompanying them, behavioral testing rooms, a mock MRI scanner, and a conference room. The Facility Director’s office is located in the Facility space.