Description
Purpose and Objectives for the Acquisition: NIMH needs to carry out morphometric analyses of different brain structures (e.g. thalamus, mammillary bodies, white matter, auditory cortex, frontal cortex, and language areas such as Wernicke's and Broca's areas) measured in patients with developmental amnesia (DA) and/or language deficits related to a mutation in the FOXP2 gene (KE family). Both groups of subjects have been identified and characterized by Prof. Vargha-Khadem and her colleagues at the University College London (UCL), and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). In order to carry out detailed brain morphometric analyses we first need to collect high quality MRIs of the brain with the latest scanning equipment and techniques now available. Upon morphometric analyses we hope to understand the brain areas responsible for the underlying memory or language defect. Project Description/Scope of Work: Specific tasks to be performed by the contractor: 1. Identify and recruit previously assessed 24 patients with developmental amnesia and their controls. 2. Identify and recruit the 10 members of the KE family that have a language defect as a result of lack of the FoxP2 gene and their controls. 3. Carry out a series of MRI scans using a Siemens Prisma, 3T with class leading magnet homogeneity, with a 64 channel head receive coil and fully dynamic parallel transmit RF, 80mT/m, 200T/m/s gradients. 4. Collect T1 and T2 series scans. MPrage sequence version 20 x 64 coil. We will also acquire FLAIR /TR, multi parameter mapping and multi band fMRI. Direction on specific methodologies to be used: The team at ICH/UCL/GOSH are experts in brain imaging using MRI. High resolution MR images will be provided to the Laboratory of Neuropsychology (LN, NIMH) for analyses. Multiple series of brain images (T1, T2, Flair/TR) will be collected to optimize morphometric analyses of the brain. Required Contractor Experience: The proposed work is to be carried out at the Institute of Child Health (ICH), University College London (UCL), and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). The proposed work is a follow-up from the results reported for DA and the KE family patients. The group and individuals who will be carry the proposed imaging are one the finest groups in the world. To carry-out this proposed work elsewhere would require development of a new team of investigators as well as identifying the patient populations that could take several years and cost substantially more. The present team already has the expertise and experience to complete the proposed work thus it is cost efficient to continue the ongoing collaboration and certainly most effective scientifically to continue the work at ICH/GOSH. Deliverables: Progress, management, financial, and fiscal report data requirements. The contractor will report on progress of the image collection completed to date on a biweekly basis by e-mail, telephone, and fax. Day-to-day management of the project will be directed by the Head of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Unit (Dr. Faraneh Vargha-Khadem) at the ICH. The Laboratory of Neuropsychology, NIMH share full ownership of all deliverables provided under this contract including reports and data Government Responsibilities: A Siemens MRI scanner and all other requisite resources for collecting brain images are presently available at the ICH/UCL/GOSH sites. The Laboratory of Neuropsychology, NIMH will receive the high resolution MRI images for analyses. It is the Government's responsibility to review and approving reports. This will be the responsibility of the Principal Investigator Dr. Mortimer Mishkin, (Laboratory of Neuropsychology, NIMH/NIH/DHHS), and Dr. Richard Saunders. Anticipated period of performance: It is expected that the services will be performed between date of award and December 31, 2016.