Neuroimaging Technology Research Center

The Neuroimaging Technology Research Center (NTRC) at the UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building aims to redefine the role of imaging and image-guided therapy in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disease.

There is growing recognition that neuropsychiatric disorders reflect dysfunction in distributed brain networks. UCSF researchers are pioneering efforts to understand this dysfunction and develop novel therapies to restore the balance of activity across affected networks. Advanced imaging to map the brain’s structural and functional connections and measure brain physiology is critical to personalize and precisely target these therapies and to measure their effects.

With two next-generation Siemens Cima.X 3T MRI scanners, advanced technology for monitoring behavior and physiology, and neuromodulation systems for transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) and magnetic stimulation (TMS), the NTRC has been designed to be at the center of this multidisciplinary effort; a place where experts in psychiatry, neurology, neuroradiology, and neurosurgery can work together to advance our understanding of neuropsychiatric disease. Located within the same building as the UCSF clinics that provide mental health services to a diverse community of both adult and pediatric patients, the NTRC is equally positioned to accelerate the translation of this research into clinical practice.

Core objectives of the NTRC

Inclusion and accessibility

The center aims to advance precision psychiatry by developing neuroimaging markers capable of reliably classifying patients into biologically meaningful groups. By building a collaborative community where methods and data are shared, the center will drive the integration of neuroimaging with dimensional approaches to neuropsychiatric disease. To accomplish this, we will need to support a diverse range of researchers and studies, including those who are new to neuroimaging.

Innovation and creativity

The center aims to push the boundaries of neuroimaging and image-guided neuro-intervention through innovation. Key goals include:

• Developing and refining advanced imaging techniques, such as multishell diffusion and multiband multiecho fMRI, that fully utilize the high-performance gradients of the Cima.X platform. This will make it possible to explore brain tissue microstructure, connectivity, and function across a range of disease states at a resolution previously achievable on only a handful of custom build human connectome scanners.
• Establishing safe methods for imaging during neuromodulation procedures, such as DBS, FUS, and TMS. This will involve optimizing techniques like BOLD fMRI, ASL, and acoustic-radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging to capture both local and global effects of neuromodulation in real time.
• Supporting the simultaneous collection of imaging, behavioral, and physiological data and the combination of these data streams for comprehensive multimodal studies.
   

Collaboration and translation

The center is dedicated to developing standardized and optimized pipelines for image acquisition and data processing. This will ensure that all data is quality-controlled, securely stored, and easily accessible to investigators for immediate review/analysis; it will also facilitate collaboration and data sharing both within UCSF and with external partners for multisite studies.

The center’s ultimate success will be measured by its impact on clinical practice. In partnership with Siemens and other industry leaders we will work to translate new methods for image acquisition and analysis into clinical neuroradiology practice at UCSF and beyond. By leveraging the diverse community of adult and pediatric patients who receive care at Pritzker, the center will work to become a core resource for imaging-intensive clinical trials that test the relevance of the center’s advances and facilitate rapid clinical translation of new imaging methods and image-guided interventions.

Parking

• Valet parking is available in the Pritzker Building garage at the rate of $5 per hour (or $35 maximum per day).
• Enter the garage on 3rd Street between 18th and 19th Streets, open on weekdays between 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• There is no additional charge for valet service. Drop Off/Retrieval – Level LL of garage.
• Pay in-person by credit card or use PayByPhone.
• To exit the garage after hours, visitors can retrieve keys/vehicles from the security desk on the first floor.
• Additional parking is located at the UCSF Illinois Street Garage, one block from the Pritzker Building, at 519 Illinois Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
• Metered parking is also available on-street.

UCSF Shuttles

Free shuttles provide transportation to UCSF faculty, staff, students, patients, patient family members, and visitors to all campus locations. All shuttles are ADA accessible and equipped with bike racks. For detailed information and shuttle schedules, please visit: UCSF Shuttles 

Directions from the UCSF Shuttle Stop to the Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building: All Red, Blue, and Grey shuttles stop at 1650 4th Street (west side). This walk takes about 10 minutes. From 1650 4th Street:

• Head south on 4th Street.
• Continue straight past the hospital buildings onto Mariposa Street.
• Turn left on 18th Street and walk past Tennessee Street.
• The Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building Entrance will be on your right.

Public Transit

The Pritzker Building is served by the following Muni routes: T, 48, 55, 15, and the 22 stop is a short walk.

Find the Radiology Front Desk

• Enter main lobby at 675 18th Street.
• Proceed past security desk to elevator.
• Take elevator to the Lower Level, LL.
• Upon exiting the elevator, find the Radiology department door directly across from the elevator.
• Please ring doorbell for access.
• After entering, continue down the hallway to the Radiology front desk.

Find the Radiology Front Desk from the Pritzker Parking Garage

• Enter parking garage on Third Street between 18th and 19th Street.
• Upon arrival, valet your vehicle.
• After parking, proceed through the double doors into the building.
• Continue straight down the hallway, passing the elevators.
• Before reaching the end of the hallway, make a left turn to find the Radiology department door.
• Please ring doorbell for access.
• After entering, continue down the hallway to the Radiology front desk.

For more information, please contact the Radiology front desk at: 415-353-1070