UNLV fMRI Imaging Facility

magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) imaging facility

UNLV fMRI Imaging Facility

UNLV’s hub for advanced brain imaging and interdisciplinary research using functional MRI technology.

About

The UNLV Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Imaging Facility, the only public brain imaging research facility in Southern Nevada, uses high-resolution imaging technology to explore how the human brain and mind works. The facility brings together researchers, students, and community partners to study the brain in innovative and meaningful ways. It serves as a hub for collaboration, discovery, and advancing our understanding of the human brain function.

Our focus is on supporting the research community by:

Providing access to state-of-the-art imaging technologies to drive innovation in brain research to inform new therapies and improve brain health outcomes.
Promoting interdisciplinary collaborations across health sciences and research partners to fuel innovation and discovery.
Providing education and hands-on training opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers to develop expertise in advanced neuroimaging techniques and improve data collection.
Offer a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for researchers and their research participants.

What is fMRI?

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a type of brain scan that reveals which parts of the brain are active. A traditional MRI scan uses a powerful magnet, radio waves, and advanced computer technology to create detailed 3D images of the inside of the body. An fMRI scan is performed using the same MRI equipment, but it has a unique purpose—it monitors blood oxygen level dependent signals in various regions of the brain. When brain cells are active, they consume more oxygen, which leads to increased blood flow to those areas. By tracking this flow, fMRI highlights the parts of the brain that are most active. In clinical settings, it's mostly used to assist with planning brain surgeries or related treatments.

Collaborators and Supporters

To expand its research portfolio and foster interdisciplinary discovery, the facility actively collaborates MRI centers across Southern Nevada and the greater Southwest region, as well as the following UNLV units:

It also works closely with UNLV’s Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, a leading global research institute focused on tracking, predicting, and facilitating the development of new therapies for brain disorders. The facility was made possible through generous federal support and UNLV’s ongoing commitment to advancing research.

This facility is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling ~$4.5 million, grant #6 CE1HS52140‐01‐06. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the HRSA website.

Message from the Vice President for Research

The UNLV Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Facility is a transformative new resource for both academia and the broader Southern Nevada community. It underscores the university’s commitment to advancing medical research, accelerating academic discovery, and fostering scientific innovation that deepens our understanding of human brain function, physiology, and anatomy.

This specialized facility significantly expands UNLV’s research capacity, enabling investigators to explore the complexities of the brain, translate scientific discoveries into real-world applications, and pursue solutions that enhance brain health and quality of life. The establishment of the fMRI Facility further exemplifies UNLV’s mission as a Carnegie R1 institution, supporting high-impact, interdisciplinary research and creative activity.

The Division of Research is proud to oversee the fMRI Facility and to ensure that its operations reflect the university’s highest standards of excellence. We are committed to fostering collaboration across campus units and disciplines, the local community and state to advance discoveries that benefit both the academic community and society at large.

Warm regards,
David W. Hatchett, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research

Equipment and Tools

Siemens Magnetom Prisma 3.0T fMRI Scanner

The facility houses a high-resolution Magnetom Prisma 3.0T fMRI scanner from Siemens Healthineers and will continue to add advanced imaging equipment to drive future discoveries in brain research.

The Siemens Prisma system is equipped for advanced, high-resolution structural and functional imaging, as well as proton-decoupled carbon, phosphorus, and single- and multi-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). To assist in research subject preparation for fMRI studies, a dedicated MRI research technologist guides participants through the process, ensures that safety protocols are followed, and provides technical support throughout the study.

MRI Data Management

UNLV is heavily invested in MRI in a comprehensive MRI data management system. A new state-of-the-art multi-node high-throughput computing infrastructure has been designed and made operational to host, archive and process high volumes of MRI data generated from the UNLV scanner. The data management pipeline has been designed to incorporate complex MRI processing pipeline, AI enabled hardware to perform cutting-edge Neural Network Models and it enhances UNLV’s capabilities for collaborative research with multiple national and global institutes. For more information please contact fmri@unlv.edu for new user accounts and user policies.

Using the Facility

IRB Information for Researchers

Any MRI scans to be performed on humans for research in the UNLV scanner will require a protocol to be cleared by the Institutional Review Board of UNLV. The Biomedical IRB of UNLV is responsible for reviewing all biomedical research involving human subjects and MRI experiments will need to be approved by the board.

For guidance on whether a proposal should be reviewed by the Biomedical IRB, please contact the Office of Research Integrity – Human Subjects at 702-895-2794 or via email at IRB@unlv.edu.

Fee Structure

The fMRI fee will be approximately $700 per hour (rate subject to change). This rate will apply differently for internal users, external users, and external enterprise clients, whether for self-use or assisted sessions.