University of Missouri investigators from an array of disciplines are using the next-generation Cognitive Neuroscience Systems (CNS) advanced technology core facility to better understand basic brain processes and answer precision health questions.
“Investigators examining the neural basis of aging and Alzheimer’s, drug addiction, neurodevelopmental disorders, stroke and recovery of function, energy regulation and appetite control, among other areas of health behaviors, utilize our facility to better understand disease states and develop new treatments,” said CNS Director Brett Froeliger, a professor of psychiatry and psychological sciences who came to Mizzou in 2020 to establish the core, located in the Melvin H. Marx Building in MU's Research Commons area.
The CNS is set up so researchers can use a multimodal approach in their studies. They can collect data with state-of-the-art equipment in several suites, perform cognitive and behavioral testing in specially designed rooms and use laboratory and office spaces – all in one location.
“That’s a unique aspect of the core,” Froeliger said. “Investigators and students can build protocols or do research without the barrier of having to move between multiple buildings. It allows for a lot more flexibility and support of time-sensitive multimodal assessments.”
What research-dedicated equipment and facilities are housed in the CNS?
A four-person team can provide researchers with training on experimental design, data collection and analysis, and assist with these core resources:
- An MRI scanner with visual and auditory testing capabilities can monitor brain activity in real time along with associated physiological responses like heart and respiratory rates.
- A mock MRI scanner can be used as a study control component to ensure subjects are familiar with the MRI environment before real testing starts.
- A suite of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) equipment enables neuronavigation-guided research and therapy.
- A high-density EEG, a test that measures brain waves using hundreds of sensors, and a Geodesic Photogrammetry System track electrical signals in the brain and determine their exact locations.
- Six experimental rooms with desktop computers are dedicated to cognitive and psychophysiology testing and are ventilated to support research where odors (food, smoking, etc.) are present.
- A clinical room is available for physical exams and biological specimen collection, such as blood draws.
More about CNS equipment and services
What’s an example of how CNS instruments can be used together?
Because everything is in one contiguous space, researchers can see the immediate effects of an intervention on the brain. An investigator could have a research subject perform a task in the MRI scanner and pinpoint where brain activity occurred. That data would then be used to target the best areas for TMS brain stimulation treatments. The effects of the treatment could then be assessed with another MRI scan.
How do researchers request CNS services?
After completing safety training, investigators can use Calpendo scheduling software to book CNS rooms and equipment. Contact Stephen Craig, research coordinator, for training requirements or to schedule a safety training session for your lab. This application form should be completed for any new studies conducted at the core.