# Multimodal Data Acquisition (MDA) Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · LOVELACE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2020 · $327,027

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract 
 The Phase III multimodal data acquisition (MDA) core provides: 1) state-of-the-art neuroimaging protocols 
for stable and reliable imaging; 2) training of principal investigators (PIs) and their support staff on general and 
practical aspects of acquiring neuroimaging data (e.g., physics of imaging, how to avoid and correct for motion 
artifacts); and 3) new technological development to answer questions that will lead to new core capabilities and 
help future users of the MDA core. Specifically, the MDA core will support neuroimaging protocols based on 
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). 
These protocols include high resolution structural MRI (sMRI), diffusion MRI (dMRI) to map fiber connectivity, 
functional MRI (fMRI) to characterize changes in blood oxygenation as a consequence of neuronal activation, 
MEG/EEG to directly monitor neuronal activation with high temporal resolution, and MR spectroscopy (MRS) to 
measure brain metabolic profiles. The emphasis is on multimodal imaging so each Project PI will acquire imaging 
data from some combination of the above including concurrent EEG-fMRI or MEG-EEG. Training of PIs and 
support personnel consists primarily of lectures embedded within weekly meetings and a formal monthly seminar 
series managed by the administrative, clinical assessment, and mentoring (ADM) core. New MRI protocols will 
be developed during Phase III that take full advantage of the 32-channel radio-frequency (RF) coil now available 
at MRN. New developments include: 1) examining white matter integrity (myelin maps and structural 
connectivity); 2) attaining higher temporal resolution in concurrent EEG-fMRI experiments for studying dynamic changes 
in functional connectivity; 3) developing optimal methods for removal of physiological noise; and 4) optimizing 
three-dimensional GABA measurement methods to enable reliable measurements over smaller voxels. This core 
is led by Dr. Julia Stephen (MRN) with over 20 years of experience in MEG/EEG methods, along with MR 
physicists Drs. Arvind Caprihan (MRN) and Stefan Posse (UNM Neurology) who each have 20+ years of experience 
with MR-based methods. Drs. Larry Wald (MGH) and Matthew Brookes (Univ. Nottingham) are consultants on 
this core.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10324138
- **Project number:** 6P30GM122734-04
- **Recipient organization:** LOVELACE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** JULIA MARIE STEPHEN
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $327,027
- **Award type:** 6
- **Project period:** 2018-05-18 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10324138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10324138, Multimodal Data Acquisition (MDA) Core (6P30GM122734-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10324138. Licensed CC0.

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