MISSION
The USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (INI) is dedicated to understanding the structure and function of the human brain in all its staggering complexity—using imaging, genetics, behavioral and other measures to study the brain’s structure, function, development and change in both health and disease. During three decades of global advances in neuroimaging, the institute has amassed the world’s largest repository of images of healthy and diseased brains, as well as medical and genetic data from diverse populations around the globe. Our multidisciplinary team of faculty, researchers, programmers, analysts, and trainees use some of the world’s most advanced highfield MRI scanners and supercomputers to acquire, compile, process, analyze and share data from multiple measurement and imaging modalities in novel ways, illuminating previously-undiscovered relationships between genetics, development, structure and function across the lifespan. Tools developed at the INI enable the collection and analysis of brain data on a massive scale and deliver images of unprecedented detail, supporting new methods of analysis and visualization and furthering efforts to map the brain’s small-scale anatomy and connections, as well as measuring changes brought about by disease, aging, and the effects of interventions such as medication, diet, fitness, and more.
Human Connectome Project (HCP)
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
The INI consists of three centers: Laboratory of Neuro Imaging http://www.loni.usc.edu
Global Alzheimer’s Association Interactive Network (GAAIN)
The Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (LONI), led by Dr. Arthur Toga, seeks to improve understanding of the brain in health and disease. LONI is a leader in the design, development and wide dissemination of advanced informatics and software tools for the comprehensive mapping of brain structure and function across space, time, and scale. The LONI Image Data Archive (IDA), a nexus of many multi-site brain imaging collaborations, provides an effective means for aggregation, archival access, and protection of collaborator-collected image data while providing simple ways to securely transmit neuroimaging and other data to computational resources and to co-investigators around the world. The LONI Pipeline is an innovative and free workflow processing application that facilitates the graphical construction, execution, monitoring, validation and dissemination of advanced data analysis protocols, allowing data scientists to integrate multiple processing tools and distributed computing resources with an easy-to-use graphical interface.
Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative
CENTERS
(PPMI)
Imaging Genetics Center http://www.igc.ini.usc.edu The Imaging Genetics Center (IGC), led by Dr. Paul Thompson, investigates the connections between genetics and brain structure and function, combining brain imaging with multiple measures of genetic data. The center develops mathematically innovative and highly nuanced computational methods to map variation in the brain both within and across individuals, and combines this data with genetic information to expand our understanding of brain health and disease. Center for Image Acquisition http://www.cia.ini.usc.edu The Center for Image Acquisition (CIA) houses two state-of-the-art MRI scanners from Siemens, the industry-standard 3T Prisma and the new 7T Terra, which has world’s the highest-contrast, highest-resolution imaging technology. With the latest software packages, pulse sequences and improved signal-to-noise ratio, these devices combine with imaging analysis techniques developed and refined at LONI to image the living brain with unparalleled spatial and temporal resolution.
The INI’s new home, the Stevens Hall for Neuroimaging (SHN), has undergone a complete revitalization and now houses the state-of-the-art Center for Image Acquisition and the unparalleled Data Center, as well as workspaces for over 90 faculty, post-docs, students and staff in an area over 17,000 square feet. Data Center • Secure facility requiring multiple layers of access to reach all sensitive equipment. The entire building has 24/7 redundant video monitoring and the data center adds motion-detection monitoring. • Integrated computing, network and storage environment boasting 4096 processor cores and 38 Terabytes of memory comprising a massively scalable, highly-available computation array. • Storage cluster of 66 nodes with 7.5 Petabytes of high-performance storage. • Fault-tolerant processing, with multiple levels of data backup and redundant, isolated power supplies. • Unmatched connectivity and bandwidth, making use of latest virtualization technology to support processing power with minimal physical and energetic footprint.
FACILITIES
Data Immersive Visualization Environment (DIVE) A 50-seat high-definition theater for facilitating research communication, disseminating new findings, conducting training, and interacting with data in novel ways, the DIVE is a large (12 ft. x 15 ft.) curved display that takes up two floors of the building and displays images, video, interactive graphics and rich media on a 4K Ultra HD screen with a 150° horizontal viewing angle. Experimental Laboratory • Biosafety Animal Facilities and Dedicated Surgery Rooms including stereotaxic surgical stations. • Histology Laboratory with over 1300 sq. ft. dedicated to animal perfusion, brain dissection and slicing, and immunohistochemistry. • Dedicated Microscope Rooms for Data Collection including darkroom lighting, confocal microscopes, high throughput scanners, and multi-photon excitation systems for 3D CLARITY imaging.
RESEARCH
Institute National Registries Singular, authoritative, national registries for specific brain research protocols and cohorts, promoting uniform data standards, aggregation, publishing and data sharing.
Immersive Visualization Program A partnership with USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering, School of Cinematic Arts, and Institute for Creative Technologies to develop and implement new strategies in data visualization.
Federated Data Archives Federated data archives containing the world’s largest collection of metadata and raw data on the brain and genetics.
Big Data to Knowledge Leading experts in biomedical imaging, genetics, proteomics, and computer science are streamlining big data management, aggregation, manipulation, integration, and the modeling of biological systems across spatial and temporal scales.
Healthy Brain Longitudinal Study A comprehensive new longitudinal study that will follow a population over time to uncover the factors contributing to brain health during the lifespan. Brain Mapping Initiative New mathematical and computational approaches for analyzing human 3D and 4D brain image data, and a brain mapping effort focused on neuroprosthetics (devices that replace missing biological functionality) and brain wiring. Clinical Trials Imaging brain structure and biomarkers to evaluate therapeutic interventions in neurology and psychiatry.
Mouse Connectome Project An NIH-funded project aimed at creating a connectivity atlas of the mouse brain, mapping its neural networks and investigating the way brain regions communicate with one another to influence behavior. Mouse Models of Connectopathy in Neurodegenerative Diseases Using genetically modified animal models to study neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s to better understand disease progression, examine systemic changes in connection between brain regions, and evaluate interventions.
Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K)
Mouse Connectome Project (MCP)
Enriching the Academic Environment Masters of Science (MS) degree in Neuroimaging and Informatics (NIIN)
Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium
http://niin.usc.edu The Institute is home to the first master’s degree program in Neuroimaging and Informatics (NIIN), which provides students with deep understanding of the scientific and clinical underpinnings of neuroimaging science and leverages emerging acquisition and analysis techniques to conduct basic and translational research in biomedicine. The INI is also home to several programs designed to stimulate the flow of fresh ideas and to transmit expertise by bringing in visiting professors and recognizing excellent talent. The institute also organizes the annual Institute Global Symposium on Brain Research, which brings together experts of international renown from USC and other institutions, including researchers, thought leaders, physicians, policymakers, and members of the media. In addition, through the “INI Scholar� program, the institute recognizes and rewards outstanding achievements among faculty and postdoctoral fellows.
International Consortium for Brain Mapping
ACADEMICS
(ICBM)
Faculty Professors: Arthur W. Toga, Ph.D., Director Paul M. Thompson, Ph.D., Associate Director Danny JJ Wang, Ph.D., Director of Imaging Technology Innovation Affiliated Professor: Meng Law, M.D., Medical Director Associate Professors: Hong-Wei Dong, Ph.D. John D. Van Horn, Ph.D., Education Director
Assistant Professors: Kristi Clark, Ph.D. Dominique Duncan, Ph.D. Derrek Hibar, Ph.D. Neda Jahanshad, Ph.D. Hosung Kim, Ph.D. Sook-Lei Liew, Ph.D. Judy Pa, Ph.D. Yonggang Shi, Ph.D. Assistant Professors of Research: Meredith Braskie, Ph.D. Houri Hintiryan, Ph.D. Andrei Irimia, Ph.D. Kay Jann, Ph.D. Lirong Yan, Ph.D.
COLLABORATION Laboratory of Neuro Imaging Resource (LONIR)
Worldwide Collaboration The Institute has led longstanding efforts in a diverse range of collaborative projects spanning biology, engineering, genetics, biostatistics, computer science, mathematics, pharmacology, and numerous other disciplines. Human Connectome Project http://www.humanconnectomeproject.org More than 100 investigators at ten institutions globally. Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium http://enigma.ini.usc.edu 300 scientists at 185 institutions in 33 countries. Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) http://adni.loni.usc.edu A global effort to understand the predictors and measures of Alzheimer’s and to develop treatment.
Center for Computational Biology (CCB)
Global Alzheimer’s Association Interactive Network (GAAIN) http://www.gaain.org A global initiative linking all the of world’s research data into single unified resource. Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) http://www.ppmi-info.org A global clinical study to develop a comprehensive database and bio-repository. Epilepsy Bioinformatics Study for Antiepileptogenic Therapy (EpiBioS4Rx) http://epibios.loni.usc.edu/ A collaborative research effort on epilepsy following traumatic brain injury. International Consortium for Brain Mapping (ICBM) http://www.loni.usc.edu/ICBM/ Data acquisition sites in North America, Asia, and Europe.
GETTING INVOLVED
Mouse Models of Connectopathy
Getting Involved The Institute provides extraordinary opportunities to get involved in our exciting mission – to advance understanding of the brain in health and disease. Persons from all backgrounds and walks of life might participate as subjects in groundbreaking research and clinical-trial studies.* Aspiring neuroscience leaders may explore our premier masters of science program or other exciting graduate or post-doctoral training opportunities. Principal investigators from around the world can contribute brain images and data to neuroscience research, spanning most major neuropsychiatric disorder and healthy brain aging; likewise, leading neuroscience institutes and universities, near and far, might consider participating in one or more of global collaborations of the Institute. Philanthropists who might want to make their mark in advancing brain science are offered an array of exciting giving opportunities. *Participation in neuroimaging-based research studies at the Institute is based on stringent eligibility and research design protocols.
Biomedical Informatics Research Network
GIVING
Giving Opportunities Private support from corporations, foundations and individuals play an everincreasingly important role in our mission. Corporate partnerships provide the Institute with one-of-a-kind opportunities to advance translational neuroimagingbased research and potentially transform them into marketplace-based solutions. Foundation grants are a mainstay of support for disease-specific research studies. Gifts from individuals, especially unrestricted gifts, enable our director to launch innovative collaborations, pursue “high-risk, high-reward� research studies, support emerging researchers and much more. Individuals may make one-time or monthly-sustaining gifts to the Institute; major philanthropists might consider an endowment gift to the Institute, thereby making neuroscience a significant part of their family’s legacy. All private support makes a difference. To learn about these and other exciting ways you might get involved with the Institute, please contact us.
CONTACT
USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute Keck School of Medicine of USC,University of Southern California 2025 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033 Phone: (323) 44-BRAIN (442-7246) info@ini.usc.edu
For more information visit our websites:
Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (INI) www.ini.usc.edu Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (LONI) www.loni.usc.edu Imaging Genetics Center (IGC) www.igc.ini.usc.edu Center for Image Acquisition (CIA) www.cia.ini.usc.edu Masters of Science (MS) degree in Neuroimaging and Informatics (NIIN) www.niin.usc.edu