# Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) Imaging Core

> **NIH VA I01** · MICHAEL E DEBAKEY VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Project Background/Rationale: The mission of the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) is to
fill gaps in knowledge about the basic science of concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), determine its
effects on late-life outcomes and neurodegeneration, identify Service Members most susceptible to these
effects, and identify the most effective treatment strategies. The CENC is a multi-center collaboration linking
premier basic science, translational, and clinical neuroscience researchers from the Department of Defense,
VA, academic universities, and private research institutes to effectively address the scientific, diagnostic, and
therapeutic ramifications of mTBI and its long-term effects.
 The Houston-based CENC Neuroimaging Core is comprised of an interdisciplinary team of neuroimaging
experts from neuroradiology, neuropsychology, MR physics, information technology and computer
programming, and statistics who facilitate sequence development and pulse programming, training and
supervision of technologists, acquisition of imaging data, quality assurance, conventional and advanced
imaging analysis, transfer and storage of imaging data, and assistance in interpreating neuroimaging data for
existing and future Consortium projects. The Core is comprised of both VA- and academic-affiliate resources;
an expansion of existing Core funds already granted to the academic affiliate (Baylor College of Medicine) is
needed due to the Consortium's growth and the resulting change in the Core's scope of work. Specifically,
expansion of the number of study sites for existing studies and the addition of several new projects has
substantially increased the Core's responsibilities, including additional oversight, quality control, analysis, and
administrative duties for Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC)-based Core investigators and
staff.
Project Objectives: Objectives of the Neuroimaging Core are to: 1) assist in the acquisition of brain imaging
data, including conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), detailed volumetry and cortical thickness,
diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), and resting state functional connectivity MRI
(fcMRI); 2) transfer, convert, analyze, and store brain imaging data; 3) direct and assist in performing quality
assurance of the scanners at all sites involved in imaging data collection; and 4) communicate with the
investigators of projects involving imaging to facilitate integration of imaging data into the projects to address
their aims.
Project Methods: The collective expertise of the investigators in the Core facilitates utilization and analysis of
several conventional and advanced imaging techniques. MEDVAMC-based Core personnel, including MR
physicists, oversee quality assurance testing on each magnet, which is performed on a regular basis to ensure
scanner accuracy, stability, and comparability. Core personnel assist in the pulse programming and sequence
development for advanc...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10070002
- **Project number:** 5I01RX002174-05
- **Recipient organization:** MICHAEL E DEBAKEY VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Elisabeth A Wilde
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-10-01 → 2020-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10070002

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10070002, Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) Imaging Core (5I01RX002174-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10070002. Licensed CC0.

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