Biomedical subjects

Stephan G Erberich

Publications and source records attributed to Stephan G Erberich.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Somatosensory lateralization in the newborn brain.

Since the onset and early postnatal development of hemispheric lateralization in the human brain are unknown, we studied cortical activation induced by passive extension and flexion of the hand in neonates using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In contrast to that seen in older age groups, somatosensory areas in the pre- and postcentral gyri of the neonate showed no significant hemispheric lateralization at term. Instead, our findings from independent left- and right-hand experiments suggest the presence of an emerging trend of contralateral lateralization of the somatosensory system at around term.

Brain Mapping↗

PubMed2003

PACS-based functional magnetic resonance imaging.

The picture archiving and communication system (PACS) technology reaches its 10th anniversary. Retrospectively no one could foresee the impact the PACS would have to the health care enterprise, but it is common consent today, that PACS is the key technology crucial to daily clinical image operations and especially to image related basic and clinical research. During the past 10 years the PACS has been matured from a research and developmental stage into commercial products which are provided by all major modality and health care equipment vendors. The PACS, originally implemented in the Radiology Department, needs to grow and has already carried well beyond departmental limits conquering all image relevant areas inside the hospital. During the past 10 years a dramatic development in imaging techniques especially within MRI emerged. Advanced 3D- and 4D-MR imaging techniques result in much more images and more complex data objects than ever before which need to be implemented into the existing PACS. These new imaging techniques require intensive post-processing apart from the imaging modality which need to be integrated into the image workflow and the PACS implementation. Along with these new imaging techniques new clinical applications, e.g. stroke detection, and research applications, e.g. study of heart and brain function, in Neurology and Cardiology require changes to the traditional PACS concept. Therefore inter-disciplinary image distribution will become the high-water mark for the next 10 years in the PACS endeavor. This paper focuses on one new advanced imaging technique, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and discusses how fMRI data is defined, what fMRI requires in terms of clinical and research applications and how to implement fMRI in the existing PACS.

Brain↗

PubMed2003

Functional MRI in neonates using neonatal head coil and MR compatible incubator.

Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging of the newborn brain is a complex and challenging task. Term and preterm neonates require a controlled microenvironment and close monitoring during the MRI study to maintain respiratory and cardiovascular functions, body temperature, and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. In addition, to minimize motion artifacts, most neonates also need to be sedated, which carries the risk of respiratory depression compromising the neonate's ability to maintain appropriate ventilation and oxygenation during the procedure. Finally, because of their small head size, the use of the standard MR head coils results in suboptimal picture quality in the neonate. Thus, these limitations affect our ability to obtain both high quality structural and functional MRI studies. To overcome these difficulties, we have utilized an MR compatible incubator with a built-in radiofrequency head coil optimized for the neonatal brain volume. In this study we demonstrate that functional MRI and high-resolution structural MRI of the newborn brain can be achieved with this novel design. The use of this equipment offers potential for studying the development of the preterm and term neonatal brain and obtaining state-of-the-art, high-resolution structural and functional imaging in this most vulnerable patient population.

Chloral Hydrate↗