Casa Colina’s Research Institute is committed to both high data standards
and appropriate methodology for all research projects. Below are tools
and software that help our researchers conduct and manage aspects of a
research study.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that detects electrical activity
in your brain using small, flat metal discs (electrodes) attached to your
scalp. Your brain cells communicate via electrical impulses and are active
all the time, even when you’re asleep. This activity shows up as
wavy lines on an EEG recording. An EEG can determine changes in brain
activity that may be useful in diagnosing brain disorders, especially epilepsy.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique that uses a magnetic field
and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within
your body. The MRI machine can also be used to produce 3-D images that
may be viewed from many different angles. MRI – Siemens MAGNATOM
Verio 3.0T Magnet is used at Casa Colina’s Diagnostic Imaging Center.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is the technique that detects how water
travels along the white matter tracts in the brain. White matter tracts
connect different parts of the brain and must be protected during surgery.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of neurostimulation
(also known as neuromodulation) where very low levels of constant current
are delivered to specifically targeted areas of the brain.
Medical Statistics
Statistical support for research is a key component to the following areas:
Study Design and Proposal Writing
Study Implementation and Management
Statistical Analysis
Publishing and Communication
Some of the statistical software that Casa Colina’s researchers use is:
R is a language and environment for statistical computing and graphics.
MATLAB combines a desktop environment tuned for iterative analysis and
design processes with a programming language that express matrix and array
mathematics directly.
JMP software from SAS reveals insights that raw tables of numbers or static
graphs tend to hide.
GraphPad Prism combines scientific graphing, comprehensive curve fitting
(nonlinear regression), understandable statistics, and data organization.
Data Collection
REDCap is a secure web application for building and managing online surveys
and databases. REDCap was developed at Vanderbilt University and works
as a consortium composed of mainly academic institutions.
*Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare does not endorse any products,
including those mentioned on this site.
For more information on current research projects at Casa Colina, please contact
909/596-7733, ext. 2220.
