Study Objective

The Function BIRN (FBIRN) Test Bed is employing functional neuroimaging to explore the underlying causes of schizophrenia and to subsequently assess the impact of new treatments on functional brain abnormalities.

The FBIRN’s aim is to develop initial multi-site, imaging calibration methods and a shared data storage infrastructure as well as create imaging analysis and calibration tools for high quality fMRI data that can be openly shared with the scientific community. In completing these goals, FBIRN will provide a large, multi-site, publicly available data repository rich in fMRI, structural imaging, and clinical data so that the research community can develop and test novel hypotheses.

Today, the same person’s brain scan taken at different MRI centers across the country will not produce the same image (Figure 1).

The FBIRN Test Bed is developing a suite of tools and methods to allow multi-site functional MRI studies to become a regular practice. These tools and methods involve the calibration and collection of data across diverse environments; the storage and management of data in a standardized format; the analysis of multi-site data; and sharing the results in a permanent location. For more information on FBIRN methods and tools, view these video explanations.

Participating Sites

CMINDS^® is being utilized at these eight participating sites: 1) University of Iowa, 2) University of Minnesota, 3) University of New Mexico, 4) San Francisco VA, 5) University of California, Irvine, 6) University of California, Los Angeles, 7) University of California, San Diego, and 8) University of North Caroline.

CMINDS^® Computerized Neuropsychological Evaluations

The battery of tests utilized for this study consists of 19 computerized tests and includes the CMINDS^® 1) PRE, 2) NAART, 3) SVLT, 4) VST, 5) Trails A, 6) Trails B, 7) Finger Tapping, 8) SDAT, 9) Maze Solving, 10) VFLT, 11) Delay SVLT, 12) Letter Number Ordering, 13) Letter Fluency, 14) Category Fluency, 15) Emotional Discrimination, 16) Stroop, 17) Delay VFLT, 18) CPT-IP, and 19) Card Sorting. Learn More>>