Description of Research Expertise

KEY WORDS:
magnetic resonance, brain mapping, cerebral blood flow, brain injury

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Physiology and pathophysiology of functional activation. Clinical and translational neuroimaing.


RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy with an emphasis on magnetic resonance techniques used to image brain function in addition to brain structure. Optical spectroscopu and imaging.


RESEARCH SUMMARY
Overall research focuses on cerebral blood flow and metabolism under normal and conditions and in response to brain injury. Specific conditions under investigation include functional activation of human brain in response to cognitive and sensorimotor tasks, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, and strokes. This research primarily utilizes magnetic resonance techniques including functional imaging techniques and spectroscopy, often correlated with other methods. There is a large component of data analysis and processing using statistical parametric mapping and other computational methods. In addition, the physiological basis and pathophysiological influences on functional activation are studied using a rat model. The research is carried out in collaboration with investigators from Radiology Research, the Cerebrovascular Research Center, Cognitive Neurology, and the Epilepsy Center.

Description of Clinical Expertise

headache, facial pain syndromes, stroke