Brain Imaging
Center of Economic Excellence

Inception:
2003

University Collaborators:
University of South Carolina (USC)
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)

About the Center:

This collaborative Center leverages USC’s expertise in cognitive neuroscience, computer science, engineering and public health and MUSC’s international reputation in brain imaging and new brain therapies. The Center is creating a world-class brain imaging center and is likely to launch start-up companies in the areas of deception detection (lie detection) and minimally invasive brain stimulation technologies.

The Centers of Economic Excellence-launched facility, McCausland Imaging Center, located at Palmetto Health Richland, includes dedicated research space and scanner time, allowing scientists to conduct research with neurologically healthy individuals as well as clinical populations. In 2005, the Center launched the Center for Animal Imaging, which provides translational research in substance abuse and epilepsy therapy. In 2008, MUSC also opened the Center for Advanced Imaging Research.

Two MRI systems, a Siemens Trio MRI system and a Bruker 7‐Tesla, have attracted important companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and BioValve, which use the systems to speed drug discovery and development in mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants and cognitive enhancers.

A Centers of Economic Excellence partnership has been formed with Ladson-based Force Protection Industries. A leading manufacturer of tanks and armored vehicles, Force Protection will use Center research in the prevention of traumatic brain injury due to combat explosions. Tests have begun on “phantom” heads. Initially after the phantom heads are impacted by explosions, there appears to be little change in appearance. However, after further examination, the brain material shows an inability to transfer liquid, which parallels a human brain’s ability to transfer information from one area to another. FPI will use this research to develop better explosive-resistant military vehicles, while the Center will use the findings to better detect and treat traumatic brain injury.

Federal and private research funding to date is $15 million.

Funding level:
$10 million

SmartState Endowed Chairs:

More information about the Brain Imaging Center can be found here.

Brain Imaging Center of Economic Excellence researcher Dr. Michael Schillaci assists a patient in the Siemens Magnetom Trio Magnetic Resonance Imaging System at USC.