Multispectral analysis of magnetic resonance images

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems produce spatial distribution estimates of proton density, relaxation time, and flow, in a two dimensional matrix form that is analogous to that of the image data obtained from multispectral imaging satellites. Advanced NASA satellite image processing offers sophisticated multispectral analysis of MR images. Spin echo and inversion recovery pulse sequence images were entered in a digital format compatible with satellite images and accurately registered pixel by pixel. Signatures of each tissue class were automatically determined using both supervised and unsupervised classification. Overall tissue classification was obtained in the form of a theme map. In MR images of the brain, for example, the classes included CSF, gray matter, white matter, subcutaneous fat, muscle, and bone. These methods provide an efficient means of identifying subtle relationships in a multi-image MR study.     

Screening and Identifying Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Public School System: The Development of a Model Process

Heightened public awareness of autism and increased prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has generated a sense of urgency within the public school system to identify children with these disorders for targeted intervention. Two multidisciplinary groups of professionals, one each from two separate school districts, were identified and trained to provide diagnostic and consultative services. This paper outlines a model process for school personnel to develop a basic level of training and competence in recognizing and serving students who have an ASD by (1) providing an overview of the legal and clinical issues involved in screening for children with ASD within the school system, (2) defining a school-based professional training process and (3) outlining a school-based ASD screening process.     

Electrical stimulation of the anterior limbs of the internal capsules in patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder: anecdotal reports

Anterior capsular stimulation induces some improvement in severe treatment-resistant OCD patients. At this stage, not all stimulation-induced effects can be explained. The effects are a valuable source for further neurophysiologic and neuroanatomic research. It was reassuring that when the group of Drs Rasmussen, Greenberg, and Friehs in Providence and the group of Drs Rezai, Montgomery, and Malone in Cleveland started to operate on OCD patients using exactly the same technique, similar effects were seen in the patients. The authors still want to stress that anterior capsular stimulation remains investigational and needs optimization, especially to try to solve the problem of the short battery life of the stimulators.