Neurosalience #S5E11 with Michael Milham - Advancing fMRI: Big data, reliability, deep phenotyping

Peter Bandettini interviews Dr. Rosanna Olsen, a senior scientist at the Rotman Research Institute and the University of Toronto. She is pioneering what we know about human memory and its associated structures, primarily focusing on the hippocampus, the role it plays, and how it changes with age and neurological diseases. Her work has shed light on how the hippocampus facilitates the flexible binding and comparison of new and existing information. She has also shown how visual exploration reveals memory processes, and has uncovered promising early dementia biomarkers based on measures of visual exploration and hippocampus. Dr. Olsen is also a leader in education. She is co-lead of the Research Training Center in Toronto, disseminating essential knowledge and skills to younger scientists, and is chair-elect of the OHBM education committee. She is also the leader of a consortium organized to reach a consensus on hippocampus segmentation. Lastly she's an avid and accomplished runner, having run the Boston Marathon, as well as many others.We hope you enjoy the conversation! Episode ProducersOmer Faruk GulbanXuqian Michelle Li

This OHBM preview podcast offers an in-depth look at how the OHBM Annual Meeting is organized, along with reflections on the unique character of the meeting and the broader OHBM community. Peter Bandettini hosts Jean Chen, Marta Garrido, and Lena Oestreich, with Kevin Sitek serving as co-host. Michael Breakspear joins the discussion in the final 20 minutes. The conversation covers both logistical and thematic aspects of the meeting, providing valuable context for attendees and those interested in the field.Episode ProducersXuqian Michelle LiKarthik Sama

In this episode Peter Bandettini, Nikolaus Kriegeskorte, Aina Puce and Michael Breakspear discuss the future of scientific publishing.Episode ProducersOmer Faruk GulbanXuqian Michelle Li

Join host Peter Bandettini as he interviews Michael Milham, a pioneer in functional brain imaging and big data neuroscience. In this episode, Dr. Milham shares insights from his groundbreaking work on large-scale fMRI datasets, deep phenotyping, and the future of precision psychiatry.Topics include: - Challenges and opportunities in big data MRI - Individual variability in brain imaging - Resting-state fMRI and pipeline reliability - Integrating multimodal and real-world data - AI, machine learning, and biomarkers in psychiatryDr. Milham is Chief Science Officer at the Child Mind Institute and a leader behind major initiatives like the creation of large, open-access datasets (e.g., ADHD-200, Healthy Brain Network) to enable population-level studies. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of neuroimaging research and its clinical potential.We hope you enjoy this episode!Episode ProducersAlfie WearnOmer Faruk Gulban

In this episode of the OHBM Neurosalience Podcast, host Peter Bandettini sits down with Dr. Simon Eickhoff, a leading clinician-scientist in brain mapping. As a panelist at the 2024 OHBM meeting in Seoul, Dr. Eickhoff brought fascinating insights—this conversation picks up where that discussion left off.Dr. Eickhoff, a professor and director at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf and Forschungszentrum Jülich, works at the crossroads of neuroanatomy, data science, and brain medicine. His research focuses on understanding individual differences in brain organization, aging, and psychiatric disorders using machine learning and large-scale neuroimaging analysis.Topics include: - The challenges of deriving biomarkers and using fMRI in clinical settings - His experience leading the journal Human Brain Mapping & the evolving publishing landscape - The role of AI in psychiatry and the future of precision medicineJoin us for a deep dive into the innovations and challenges shaping neuroscience and brain imaging today!Episode ProducersXuqian Michelle LiOmer Faruk Gulban

This episode features Dr. Sepideh Sadaghiani directing the CONNECTlab at Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Sadaghiani’s lab explores large-scale brain networks, focusing on cognitive control, attention, and spontaneous neural activity. Using fMRI, EEG, and genetics, they uncover how brain connectivity shapes perception and behavior. Tune in for cutting-edge insights into the brain’s dynamic communication.Episode ProducersOmer Faruk GulbanKarthik Sama

This episode features Prof. Mac Shine from the University of Sydney. Mac is a systems neurobiologist interested in understanding how neurobiology supports awareness and flexible, parallel behavior. This engaging conversation between Peter and Mac offers takeaways for neuroscience from the study of other complex systems, such as weather patterns. It further explores how principles from fluid dynamics could inspire ways to rethink brain states and interpret fMRI data. The discussion also highlights the inherently interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience and emphasizes the crucial role of communication between its subfields as the field navigates these exciting times. For more details check out the episode! We hope you enjoy it! Episode Producers Alfie Wearn Karthik Sama

Join Peter Bandettini as he sits down with Seiji Ogawa, the visionary scientist behind the discovery of BOLD (blood oxygenation level-dependent) contrast fMRI. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Ogawa reflects on his groundbreaking work, the evolution of neuroimaging, and the challenges of translating fMRI into clinical practice. 1. Ogawa’s Early Journey – From Stanford to Bell Labs, and the influences that shaped his career. 2. The Discovery of BOLD fMRI – How experiments with hemoglobin oxygenation laid the foundation for modern neuroimaging. 3. Impact on Neuroscience – Why fMRI became a cornerstone in understanding brain function. 4. Challenges in Clinical Translation – Variability and reliability in single-subject analyses. 5. Scientific Reflections – Ogawa’s thoughts on curiosity, persistence, and the art of discovery. 6. Future Directions – Exploring brain interactions, neurovascular coupling, and innovations in imaging techniques. Notable Quotes: “If you can look into your brain without opening your skull… that’s a great thing.” “The important thing is to know what is important.” “Many phenomena don’t last long, but fMRI has proven to be enduringly significant.” Seiji Ogawa’s contributions have left an indelible mark on neuroscience, inspiring researchers worldwide. Don’t miss this fascinating exploration of his life, work, and ongoing curiosity about the mysteries of the human brain. Episode Producers Omer Faruk Gulban Nagashree Thovinakere

Our guest today is Dr. Vesa Kiviniemi, a radiologist and researcher at Oulu University in Finland. Dr. Kiviniemi’s recent focus has been on using an extremely high-speed MRI technique called MREG. This technique allows for the collection of an entire volume of data with a TR of just 100 milliseconds, using a stack-of-spirals approach. The reason he values this technique so much is that it enables him to examine various types of brain pulsations, including cardiac and respiratory pulsations, as well as what he refers to as glymphatic or CSF pulsations. In this episode, Dr. Kiviniemi explores how he has applied this technique in his research. He also discusses the history of our understanding of the glymphatic system, its potential functions, the many unknowns surrounding it, and the opportunities it presents for future research. Among other topics, he explains why using this high-speed technique might complement—or in some cases even be better than—slower approaches in certain ways. We hope you enjoy the conversation! Episode producers: Xuqian Michelle Li Omer Faruk Gulban

This episode is unique in the sense that it’s actually a talk Peter gave during the OHBM 2024 meeting, specifically during the education session on communicating science. Peter wanted to share this talk because it focuses on the podcast and his own approach to creating it. He discusses his philosophy, heuristics, what he considers important about podcasting, and why he enjoys doing it. The talk emphasizes the value of conversation and explains how the podcast showcases the human side of scientific investigators and the stories behind their research. We hope you enjoy it! Episode producers: Omer Faruk Gulban Xuqian Michelle Li