Who are we?
The Imgen Research Group is a privately funded entity with a focus on producing clinically relevant neuroimaging research and providing meaningful research opportunities for medical students and residents. Learn about our project foci and associated imaging modalities below.
Neuroimaging magnetic resonance imaging modalities we study:
TECHNIQUES
Volumetrics
Volumetrics: Injury can cause changes in the volume of brain regions, which in turn may be related to whether a symptom arises and how long it persists. Automated methods for measuring volumes in the brain and many sub-regions now allow researchers and clinicians alike to use volumetrics as a readily accessible tool (Ross et al. 2022).
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) / Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI):
Volume is not always indicative of the extent to which brain tissues are damaged. DTI is way of looking at the movement of water molecules to assess whether the microstructure of tissue appears to be intact, based on the principal that healthy axons will constrain diffusion more than damaged axons. DTI is a promising technique for improving patient care (e.g., Palacios et al. 2022).
Functional MRI (fMRI):
As its name suggests, fMRI is an assessment of brain function. It is based on changes in blood flow when particular tasks are being performed, working on the principle that blood flow tends to go where neurons are activated. Information about how brain regions function together after an injury can reveal more about brain functioning after injury (reviewed in Puig et al. 2020)
Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MR Perfusion:
This technique measures blood flow in the arteries of brain tissues. The blood is magnetically labeled, so there is no use of radioactive tracers, making it particularly useful for pediatric patients. ASL is generally used to assess whether there are changes in cerebral blood flow after injuries (reviewed in Wang et al. 2023).
Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI):
This technique measures venous blood, and it can identify damage due to traumatic brain injury, hemorrhages, and iron in the neural tissues. It is particularly useful in detecting microbleeds after injury, which can affect the severity and longevity of cognitive and perhaps other types of symptoms (reviewed in Hageman et al. 2022).
PROJECTS
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBI)
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (mTBI) affect young and old alike during normal activities such as athletic training, driving a motor vehicle, or simply moving around the house. It has been challenging to find biomarkers indicating long-term persistence of symptoms. We are looking at many types of imaging to better understand how mTBI affects the brain and quality of life in the >40 million people worldwide who suffer an mTBI every year.
Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
A hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is build-up of amyloid beta (a-beta) in the brain. Often, an AD diagnosis is historically confirmed post-mortem because access to the brain is required to confirm the presence of (a-beta) and another hallmark of AD, a protein called tau. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans with tracers for ab hold promise for earlier and more certain diagnosis of AD.
Exposure to carbon monoxide
Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause long-term health consequences. We are studying the associated patterns of brain lesions to understand the unique effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
REFERENCES
1. Hageman G, Hof J, Nihom J. Susceptibility-Weighted MRI and Microbleeds in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Prediction of Posttraumatic Complaints? Eur Neurol. 2022;85(3):177-185.
2. Palacios EM, Yuh EL, Mac Donald CL, Bourla I, Wren-Jarvis J, Sun X, Vassar MJ, Diaz-Arrastia R, Giacino JT, Okonkwo DO, Robertson CS, Stein MB, Temkin N, McCrea MA, Levin HS, Markowitz AJ, Jain S, Manley GT, Mukherjee P; TRACK-TBI Investigators. Diffusion Tensor Imaging Reveals Elevated Diffusivity of White Matter Microstructure that Is Independently Associated with Long-Term Outcome after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A TRACK-TBI Study. J Neurotrauma. 2022 Oct;39(19-20):1318-1328.
3. Puig J, Ellis MJ, Kornelsen J, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers of Brain Connectivity in Predicting Outcome after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review. Journal of Neurotrauma. 2020 Aug;37(16):1761-1776.
4. Ross DE, Seabaugh J, Seabaugh JM, Barcelona J, Seabaugh D, Wright K, Norwind L, King Z, Graham TJ, Baker J, Lewis T. Updated Review of the Evidence Supporting the Medical and Legal Use of NeuroQuant ® and NeuroGage ® in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Hum Neurosci. 2022 Apr 8;16:715807.
5. Wang, Y., Bartels, H.M. & Nelson, L.D. A Systematic Review of ASL Perfusion MRI in Mild TBI. Neuropsychol Rev 33, 160–191 (2023).