Center for Pediatric Brain Health

Abstract/Summary: Overall Component This application for a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) would initiate a Center for Pediatric Brain Health to manage, support, and expand developmental neuroimaging and pediatric neuroscience research at Boys Town National Research Hospital (BTNRH) in Omaha, Nebraska. It is an opportune moment for pediatric

neuroscience at BTNRH, as an organization-wide initiative to expand in this area has resulted in numerous faculty hires and the construction of a new state-of-the-art 15,000+ square feet Institute for Human Neuroscience. The proposed Center for Pediatric Brain Health will organize and support these new resources under a central

umbrella, and provide critical programs to help grow the community and build cohesiveness around a common theme of pediatric neuroscience and brain health. The key components of the Center include an Administrative Core, one research core (i.e., the Neural Quantification & Imaging Core), four research project leaders (RPLs),

a Supervisory & Mentoring Committee, and a cohort of established pediatric neuroscientists. Upon initiation of the Center, the Administrative Core will implement a comprehensive research support structure that includes mentoring and career developing resources, a pilot projects program, extensive training opportunities, two

distinct seminar series, community outreach, and broad support of key research infrastructure (e.g., participant registry, shared research spaces). Training opportunities will include technical workshops, as well as internships and a postdoctoral neuroimaging training program for fostering the next generation of graduate students and

Center faculty. In parallel, the Administrative Core will promote the launch of four RPLs and implement a career development and evaluation system, which will include a Supervisory & Mentoring Committee comprised of 10 senior scientists who will monitor progress and ensure each RPL and their two co-mentors reach critical

milestones. Finally, the new Neural Quantification & Imaging Core will support and provide direct access to state- of-the-art instrumentation for pediatric neuroimaging, including a new 3-Tesla Siemens Prisma magnet, two Neo magnetoencephalographic (MEG) imaging units, a mock MRI scanner, and other major equipment, and will

provide comprehensive analytical support for the most advanced neuroimaging analyses currently available. Notably, the Core will be the only site in the world to host two MEG Neo systems for quantifying human brain dynamics. The new Center will also support a cohort of senior scientists with expertise spanning multiple pediatric

populations and different imaging technologies. Finally, the Center will receive exceptional institutional support, including funds for pilot projects, Core staffing, internships, major equipment expenses, and other initiatives, and will be directed by Dr. Tony Wilson who is a developmental cognitive neuroscientist with extensive experience

in multimodal neuroimaging and an exceptional track record of extramural support, publications, and mentoring. Taken together, the expansive resources, support, and expertise within the new Center for Pediatric Brain Health will ensure that it has a major long-term impact on pediatric neuroscience research at BTNRH and beyond.