Psychology Dept. Equipment

Logan Hall and PCNC

The PCNC in Logan Hall houses neuroimaging resources that include two Biosemi ActiveTwo EEG Systems,
located in separate pediatric and adult EEG laboratories. The adult system has 128+8 channels which includes the ability to measure respiration, plethysmograph used to record heart rate, and temperature. The pediatric system has 64 channels of EEG, with child-sized electrode caps, and a separate room for relaxation and preparation of participants and their families before testing. Both systems also include Polhemus Patriot 3D Digitizer Systems to determine head shape and the placement of each EEG electrode on the scalp for source localization and for comparison with MRI derived anatomy and function. Two SR-Research EyeLink 1000 2K systems are available for infrared eye movement monitoring during EEG or brain stimulation, or separately, in each EEG laboratory. A number of systems for human brain stimulation and associated equipment are also available. For TMS there is an eXimia TMS to apply magnetic stimulation at the scalp in order to modulate and induce or suppress brain activity. This system includes Bipulse and Monopulse coils, TMS electronics, and is capable of single pulse, paired pulse and repetitive (r)TMS capability. An eXimia NBS stereotactic brain navigation system provides the capacity to record the locations of external physical landmarks and/or scalp locations with respect to anatomical features as represented on MR images of the participant’s brain. There is also an eXimia EMG and EEG (60 channel) system to record muscle and brain activity. The EEG electronics are able to tolerate TMS and recover as quickly as possible (within 2-20 ms) following application of TMS. Additionally, a neuroConn DC-Stimulator MR provides a single-channel transcranial current stimulator that produces either direct or alternating current in continuous or pulsed stimulation with adjustable pulse width and interval, alone or in conjunction with EEG or MRI studies. Additional non-MR compatible tDCS current generators are also available. The PCNC sleep laboratory is equipped with a prototype Neuroelectrics Starstim64 system, which includes up to 32 channels of transcranial electrical stimulation in addition to EEG, and is capable of closed loop stimulation based subjects’ intrinsic EEG phase and frequency. 

The Department of Psychology Animal Surgery Core suite equipped with a Kopf stereotaxic frame with anesthesia mask and manipulators, an isoflurane vaporizer, surgical drill, and two autoclaves. The department has a modern Histology Core, which includes two suites with a CryoStar NX50 cryostat, -80C freezer, fume hood, and DI water supply system. Additional common departmental equipment includes a Masterflex pump, incubator, refrigerated centrifuge, Vortex Genie, Genemate centrifuge, digital heat block, -80C and -20C freezers, sonicator, electronic transferpette, micropipettes, digital balances, pH meter, mini shaker, and stir plates. Common animal behavior equipment housed in the Logan Hall ARF includes a radial arm maze (both dry and water), open field square and round apparatus for novel object recognition and exploratory behavior, Morris water task maze, elevated plus maze, chambers for assessment of social interaction, and Coulbourn operant chambers.

The Mind Research Network (MRN)

MRN is a consortium of internationally recognized neuroimaging and neurogenetic researchers based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its state-of-the-art 50,000 square-foot headquarters is located on the UNM campus and houses world-class equipment. Below is a comprehensive description of equipment available to MRN researchers, some or none of which may be used by the new hires.

Siemens Avanto 1.5 Tesla Mobile MRI Scanner: The Avanto is the most advanced system of this strength in the Siemens product line. It features an ultra-short, 150 cm-long whole-body superconductive 1.5T magnet, with 5th generation active-shielding technology with counter coils, External Interference Shielding and excellent homogeneity (based on 24 plan plot, 50 cm DSV type, 0.8 ppm). The system comes equipped with a 12-element Matrix head coil capable of ultra-fast parallel acquisition in 4- (CP mode), 8- (dual-mode) or 12- (triple mode) channel settings. This MR system is integrated into a trailer equipped with functional imaging capabilities.

The base Avanto system was upgraded to include the SQ-engine Gradient System with AudioComfort. The SQ-engine gradients have a maximum amplitude of 45 mT/minute for the longitudinal direction and 40 mT/minute for horizontal and vertical directions; the gradient slew rate is 200 T/m/second with a minimal rise time of 200 microsecond (from 0 - 40 mT/m amplitude). AudioComfort is an acoustic noise buffer that leads to a 30 dB attenuation of gradient noise (compared to conventional systems that lead to a 97% reduction in sound pressure) greatly beneficial to functional imaging studies. The system is capable of BOLD EPI, diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI), perfusion and diffusion imaging, and spectroscopy.

The mobile scanner is equipped with a 128-channel BioSemi ActiveTwo electrophysiology system for recording high-density EEG during the performance of cognitive tasks (www.biosemi.com). Electrode caps for four different head sizes are maintained with the system. Software from Neurobehavioral Systems (www.neurobs.com) is available for precise presentation of visual and auditory stimuli and online monitoring of behavioral performance. The event-related potential software system ERPSS (courtesy of Steve Hillyard, UCSD, San Diego, CA) and EEGLab (courtesy of the Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, UCSD, San Diego, CA) are available for analysis of the EEG data.

In addition to the stimulus delivery and data acquisition equipment described above, the mobile data-acquisition system includes a group of centrally managed remotely operated PGP-encrypted tablet PCs for psychological assessment, digital video, and document imaging in forensic populations. Also installed, are the Biopac MP150 Data Acquisition System (BIOPAC Systems Inc., www.biopac.com) and the GSR EDA Galvanic Skin Response Amplifier (GSR100C; BIOPAC Systems Inc, www.biopac.com) in order to provide reliable and consistent real-time monitoring of skin conductance responses.

Siemens 3T Prisma with Total Imaging Matrix (TIM) Application Suite: The Prisma 128-channel system represents state-of-the-art in MRI hardware. It is capable of BOLD EPI, diffusion-tensor imaging, arteriole spin labeling, perfusion and diffusion imaging, and spectroscopy. We are equipped with a 64-channel head and neck coil and the strongest gradients currently available for a 3T machine. With 128 usable receiver channels as standard, the system allows for the use of 48 to 64 current-phased array coils to improve sensitivity and speed of acquisition, and is ready for future coil designs with more than 64 elements. Fast imaging with the human connectome multiband sequence is supported. Also installed are the Biopac MP160 Data Acquisition System (BIOPAC Systems Inc., www.biopac.com), the GSR EDA Galvanic Skin Response Amplifier (GSR100C; BIOPAC Systems Inc., www.biopac.com) to provide reliable and consistent real-time monitoring of skin conductance responses and Carbon Dioxide Measurement Amplifier (CO2100C; BIOPAC Systems Inc., www.biopac.com) for real time monitoring and data collection of exhaled CO2 levels for use in assessment of cerebrovascular reactivity. The 3T also has the capability for concurrent EEG/fMRI using the BrainAmp MR system from brain products. This system is interfaced to an MR-compatible patient monitoring unit featuring pulse oximetry, heart rate monitor, O2, CO2, NO, and halothane measurement, blood pressure monitor and EKG (OmniTrak, InVivo Research, Inc. Orlando, FL).

Software from both Neurobehavioral Systems (Presentation; www.neurobs.com) and Psychology Software Tools (E-Prime 3; https://pstnet.com/products/e-prime/) are available for precise presentation of visual and auditory stimuli and online monitoring of behavioral performance.

Elekta Neuromag 306-channel whole-cortex MEG system (www.elekta.com): This 306 channel MEG system is comprised of 204 planar gradiometers and 102 magnetometers and is capable of collecting up to 128 channels of simultaneous EEG data at up to 5 kHz sampling frequency. This system has real-time motion correction1 reducing spatial blurring. The data analysis pathway is also established using a multi-dipole, spatio-temporal modeling technique - CSST [e.g.2-8] and time frequency analysis using Fieldtrip. MEG data will be digitized at 1000 Hz with an online filter (0.1 – 300 Hz). The continuous data will be processed using the Neuromag software and MNE9. The data set is low-pass filtered at 50 Hz. Epochs with large magnetic artifacts will be removed and eye-blink projectors will be used to remove eye-blinks10. The planar gradiometers provide sensitivity to sources close to the sensor array whereas the magnetometers provide sensitivity to distant sources, including sources originating from the small head of a child. This provides additional advantages over previous gradiometer-only systems. This system has 24 bit A/D conversion providing the largest dynamic range of currently-available MEG systems. The Elekta Neuromag also comes with specialized software that provides real-time head movement correction allowing for even relatively large head movements within the sensor array without loss of spatial resolution. The same software also provides novel artifact rejection methods, allowing for data collection from a wide range of patient populations - including pediatric patients and epilepsy patients with implanted vagal nerve stimulators.

EEG System: MRN has a 128-channel BioSemi ActiveTwo electrophysiology system for recording high-density EEG  during the performance of cognitive tasks (www.biosemi.com). Electrode caps for four different head sizes are maintained with the system. Acquisition computers use BioSemi software to record EEG data and all stimulus and behavioral response codes for later analysis. Software from Neurobehavioral Systems (www.neurobs.com) is available for precise presentation of visual and auditory stimuli and online monitoring of behavioral performance. The event-related potential software system ERPSS (courtesy of Steve Hillyard, UCSD, San Diego, CA) and EEGLab (courtesy of the Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, UCSD, San Diego, CA) are available for analysis of the EEG data.

TMS System: MRN owns a Localite TMS Navigator (Magventure A/S, Farum, Denmark) loaded with the NeuroNav software suite and equipped with the Polaris SPECTRA position sensor. This system allows for targeted stimulation of a number of cortical gray matter areas based either on a standard template or on a subject-specific basis by integrating structural and functional data collected on MRN’s 3T Prisma MRI. The Localite system is used in conjunction with a Magventure MagPro X100 to preform TMS stimulation protocols. Medoc PATHWAY Pain and Sensory Evaluation System: PATHWAY is a mobile system with an integrated cooling unit and MRI-compatible/MRI-safe ATS thermo mode. PATHWAY software permits detailed experiment design and execution TTL-linked to fMRI acquisition.

Mind Input Device: All MRN imaging modalities are outfitted with a fiber-optic subject-response device, developed and patented at MRN. This device is specifically designed for use in an fMRI or MEG environment, and is a complete system with response cast, optical amplifiers, and interface boxes. The thermoplastic response cast, which is secured to the forearm by a Velcro strap, consists of 100-percent plastic and fiber-optic parts, making it magnetically and RF inert. Five optical buttons are contained inside the cast. A 50-foot optical cable connects the cast to amplifiers placed outside the magnet room, keeping the testing and the signal free of any interference.

Features of MRN’s Mind Input Device include: LEDs provide instant visual feedback to the experimenter to ensure that the subject is responding correctly; compatible with E-Prime, MEL Professional NBS Presentation and other leading stimulus-delivery software packages; compatible with external data-acquisition systems like PowerLab, BioPac, LabVIEW, etc.; MRI-compatible/MRI-safe for fMRI and MEG applications; non-magnetic and non-metallic; and no RF interference, so no RF Filters needed.

Thermo Scientific Multifuge X Pro-MD: This benchtop touch screen centrifuge is refrigerated (-10 ⁰C to + 40 ⁰C) with run time of up to 100 hours. It can be pre-programmed with simple or multi-step programming. This model can be used with either fixed or swing-out rotors and can accommodate a variety of samples such as blood tubes, conical tubes, microplates, and BioBottles. The maximum RCF for the fixed angle rotor is 25830 x g and 7164 x g for the swing-out.

Illumina iScan™ system for genetic, epigenetic and gene expression analyses. This scalable platform facilitates analyses from whole-genome to focused targets and can accommodate standard and custom panels for RNA and DNA analysis. Whole genome genotyping/CNV/LOH analyses are conducted through use of the Infinium assay and an assortment of bead chip types that include 700K up to 5 five million markers covering up to 99% of the variation in the human genome. GoldenGate and iSelect assays can be customized to probe from 96-1M SNPs. The iScan system also allows for epigentic (methylation) analyses for 27K and 450K CpG sites across the human genome. Illumina’s Genome Studio software allows for direct comparison of mRNA gene expression results with methylation results allowing for easily visualization of gene regulation and expression. The range of detection offered by the Illumina model allows for reduced input and reagent requirements, while preserving data quality and reproducibility.

Applied Biosystems 7500 real time thermocycler can be used for genotyping single SNPs and gene expression assays.