Research Interests In addition to providing structural information, MRI has the potential to non-invasively map physiologic parameters and function. Our research focuses on optimally exploiting this potential by investigating the mechanisms behind MRI contrast, exploring avenues to manipulate the contrast, and optimizing MRI data acquisition and analysis to achieve optimum sensitivity, resolution, reliability, and accuracy. Specific aims are the development of MRI techniques for the measurements of structural anatomy, tissue metabolism, tissue perfusion, and the spatial distribution of brain activity. Recent work has focused on high field MRI technology, the magnetic properties of brain tissue, and the study of spontaneous brain activity.