Human imaging
Human PET imaging allows to estimate the amount of regional uptake of radiotracers sensitive to several molecules, such as glucose, amyloid beta, hyperphosphorylated tau protein, dopamine, and synaptic vesicle protein 2A. The human MRI facility provides high-resolution anatomical imaging as well as functional imaging in a whole-body scanner.
Human PET
GIGA Cyclotron Research Centre has a long tradition of PET studies. The platform is currently equipped with a Siemens HR+ camera that is only devoted to research. We can use tracers GMP-produced on site (by Nucleis s.a., ULiege spin-off) and we have authorization to « import » radiotracers from other centres in Europe. We do have a small laboratory for handling [18F]radiotracers, with a circuit for waste. We do have facilities (rooms, commodities) devoted to participants in PET studies and we can acquire medical, neuropsychological and safety parameters, including blood samples. We can acquire dynamic or static PET images. We can save data for specific studies, process and transfer images. We do not have overnight facilities.
The platform is open to all researchers, from public and private institutions, and for specific research trials from industry. The use of the platform is conditional to a research project presented to the responsible PI, and we can help for regulatory authorization. Fees depend on the protocol, on the duration of the utilization of the platform, on the contribution of the GIGA-CRC-IVI staff members.
Location
The scanner is based within the B30 building.
Access
The platform is open to all researchers, from public and private institutions, and for specific research trials from industry. The use of the platform is conditional to a research project presented to the responsible PI, and we can help for regulatory authorization. Fees depend on the protocol, on the duration of the utilization of the platform, on the contribution of the GIGA-CRC-IVI staff members.
Availability
Contact Prof. Eric Salmon
Staff
Head: Prof. Eric Salmon, Neurology, Nuclear Medecine
Senior Scientist manager: Christian Degueldre, engineer
Technologist : Sophie Laloux, nurse
Senior scientist Physics: Prof Alain Seret
1er Logisticien de Recherches: Mohamed Ali Bahri, Biomedical engineer
Secretary (Medical unit): Annick Claes
Human MRI
Magnetic resonance brain imaging data can be acquired on 2 scanners: a 3T MAGNETOM Prisma scanner (Siemens) equipped with array receiver coils (20 and 64-channel head-neck coils) for parallel and multiband imaging and a 7T MAGNETOM Terra scanner (Siemens) equipped with 1TX and pTX Nova Coils. The scanners are dedicated to research only. Standard acquisition protocols include task-related and resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) with synchronized recording of pulse and respiratory parameters, high-resolution T1-weighted and T2-weighted anatomical imaging, quantitative multiparameter mapping reflecting the brain microstructure, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) capabilities.
The MRI facilities are fully equipped for functional MRI studies including auditory stimulus equipment (Serene Sound Audio System, Resonance Technology, Inc), visual stimulus equipment (Sanyo/Panasonic PT-EX510LEJ video projector), response devices (Current Design), long-range infra-red eye-tracking device (EyeLink 1000 Plus, SR Research) and respiratory and cardiac monitoring devices (Siemens).
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for acquisitions are up to date.
Maintenance and accuracy checks are performed every 3 months by Siemens qualified engineers.
Location
The scanners are based within the B30 building.
Access
Training is mandatory to access the facility, with two existing levels: (1) authorization to access the facility and (2) qualification to operate the scanner and related equipment. The authorized user is allowed to access the facility and acquire data under the supervision of a qualified user. After qualification, the qualified user is allowed to book scanner time and operate the scanner by her/himself.
Availability
Scanner time has to be booked prior any utilization. Booking is arranged between researchers during a booking session, organized around the 15th of each month for MRI acquisitions carried out during the following month.
Contact Christine Bastin
Rules of use
Hyperlink to the PDF of the MRI regulation (MRI_regulation.pdf)
Heads
Dr. Christine Bastin, researcher in cognitive neuroscience
Laurent Lamalle, MR Physicist
Senior Scientist manager: Christian Degueldre, engineer
Technologist: Sophie Laloux, nurse
Secretary (Medical unit): Annick Claes
