人と社会の未来研究院連携MRI研究施設では、SIEMENS社製3T-MRI装置「Magnetom Verio」が導入されており、機能的磁気共鳴画像法（fMRI）を中心とした、脳機能画像実験のための設備が整っています。実験刺激呈示用設備については、視覚刺激・聴覚刺激を呈示するための専用PCが導入されており、MRI装置からの同期信号や被験者の反応を記録するための設備を構築しています。
なお複数のinterfaceを準備することで、外部からの持ち込みPCによる実験も簡便に実施できるよう、汎用性に配慮しています。
また、当施設の特徴的な設備として、コミュニケーション信号仲介中継システムが導入されています。このシステムはMRI装置内の被験者の表情・視線を記録するだけではなく、MRI装置外の被験者とのリアルタイムでのinteractionに伴う脳活動を描出することも可能な設備です。
なお施設内には、MRI実験の前後に実施する多様な心理実験・行動実験のための防音室が2台設置されています。優れた遮音性能を有しており、統制された環境下での実験を行うことが可能となっています。

認知神経科学を専門とする阿部修士教授を中心に、複数の研究スタッフが連携MRI研究施設の運営を担っています。また、人と社会の未来研究院のみならず、学内の複数の部局の研究者によって構成される運営委員会と安全委員会を設置しています。運営委員会ではMRI施設の運営方針全般とMRI設備の利用方法についての議論を継続的に行っています。安全員会では研究課題の安全性の審査を行うと共に、施設の安全管理のためのルール策定を行っています。

当施設では各研究者がスムーズにMRIを利用できるよう、利用上のルール等をまとめたガイドラインを作成しています。利用者はガイドラインをもとに、倫理審査の承認を経た研究プロジェクトの安全審査申請書を、当施設の事務局に提出します。各申請については、安全委員会で迅速に審査を行うことで、円滑な共同利用を実現しています。また、施設利用者に対しては事前に安全講習会の受講を義務付け、実験の際に安全面に最大限の注意を払うよう周知徹底しています。

現在、下記のメンバーで連携MRI研究施設の維持管理を担当しています。

連携MRI研究施設では2023年度末までに、計136件の研究プロジェクトでの利用申請を受け付けており、多くの研究者によって幅広く利用されています。国内外での学会・研究会においては、当施設のMRI装置を用いた研究成果の発表が、150件以上行われています。
また、英語の原著論文として報告された成果としては、現在までに計63篇の論文が出版されておりNeuroimageやCerebral Cortex、Psychological ScienceやJournal of Experimental Psychology: Generalといった神経科学・心理学分野における著名なジャーナルのみならず、PNASやScience Advancesといったハイインパクトジャーナルにも論文が掲載されています。今後も研究者の積極的な利用を促すと共に、先端的な研究成果を発信するための環境を維持してきたいと考えています。

当施設では独自の教育事業を継続的に実施しています。具体的には、初心者を対象としたfMRI体験セミナー、データ解析の経験者を対象としたfMRI解析セミナー、神経科学の集中的な講義を行う脳科学集中レクチャーを定期的に行っています。
fMRI体験セミナーでは、主に学内の大学院生・学部生・研究員を対象に、脳機能画像研究についてのレクチャーを行うと共に、MRIを用いた実験を体験してもらい、自分の脳のデータを解析する機会を提供しています。
fMRI解析セミナーでは、先端的な画像解析の講義と実習で構成されており、参加者それぞれが持参したPCを用いて、自ら手を動かしながらデータ解析のトレーニングを行っています。
脳科学集中レクチャーでは、学内外から広く受講者を募り、2日間にわたって第一線の講師から、神経科学の基礎知識から最新の研究成果を網羅した講義を提供しています。
今後も継続してMRIユーザーの裾野を広げつつ、最先端の知識・技術を習得するための教育事業を、学内外の研究者の協力も得ながら実施していく予定です。

なお、当施設のMRI装置は平時の学部・大学院教育でも有効活用されており、これまでに学部学生・大学院生を対象とした複数の授業でMRI装置の見学が実施されています。高校生による見学など、アウトリーチの機会にも広く活用しています。

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