Studies, Research and Projects

We are looking at machine learning based classifiers as well as conventional statistical models to identify structural MRI relationships distinguishing AD from CN and MCI using the Alzheimer’s disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. The primary goal of ADNI is to test whether serial MRI, PET, other biological markers, and clinical and neuropsychological assessment can measure the progression of mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease. Further information on ADNI can be found at www.adni-info.org.

Investigators and Personnel: Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Publications: ADNI

Swine brain perfusion is a good model for that of humans due to the similar proportions of gray and white matter. In order to measure swine perfusion, PCASL was implemented using this model. Our investigation identified many parameters of the swine PCASL procedure that required optimization, as follows: The arterial blood velocity was measured to optimize tagging efficiency by adjusting acquisition parameters. Multiple post-labeling delays were collected so that the CBF quantification would be less sensitive to varying transit delays across the brain. Model-specific blood T1 and the M0 ratio of blood to white matter were measured for the quantification of CBF.

Investigators and Personnel:

PCASL-based VE-ASL methods often require long scan times and complicated clustering algorithms to classify multiple vascular territories. VE-ASL can be performed by encoding blood signal in the Fourier space based on the source location. We have demonstrated that the proposed Fourier encoding method allows quantitative vascular territory mapping without knowledge of accurate locations of feeding arteries or complicated post processing algorithm. In addition, the method is immune to phase errors due to resonance offsets and can be performed within clinically relevant scan time (<4min).

African-American Diabetes Heart Study – MIND

This project will evaluate cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) in African Americans (AA) with type 2 diabetes, and compare results to existing MRI and cognitive data in a cohort of European Americans with type 2 diabetes. The goal is to determine whether racial differences exist in
the relationship between CBVD and cognitive performance and to identify the environmental and inherited causes of CBVD in the high risk and understudied AA community.

Grant Start Date: June 1, 2011

Grant End Date: April 30, 2016

Principal Investigators: Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Barry Freedman

Investigators and Personnel: Baidya N. Saha, Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Funded By: NINDS

Grant Number: 1R01NS075107

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive imaging technique that measures the magnetic fields produced by the electrical currents associated with neuronal function. It provides extremely high temporal resolution, and is complementary to structural and functional MRI methods. Most MEG studies and analytic approaches are geared towards task-based acquisitions. Resting state MEG studies provide a unique set of challenges for analysis. The ANSIR lab has developed a high-throughput fully automated MEG analysis pipeline for high density source-space analysis of resting state MEG data, incorporating a variety of head models, forward models, beamformers, and connectivity metrics.

Investigators and Personnel: Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Elizabeth (Moody) Davenport, Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

An Arterial Spin Labeling Perfusion MRI and Computational Network Analytical Investigation

Principal Investigator: Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Investigators and Personnel: Elizabeth (Moody) Davenport

Funded By: The Foundation of the ASNR

Identifying Novel Brain Anatomical Biomarkers of Preterm Birth That Predict Future Cognitive Impairment: A Graph Theoretical Network Analysis and Machine Learning Investigation.

Principal Investigator: Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Investigators and Personnel: Elizabeth (Moody) Davenport

Funded By: Wake Forest TSI

Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS) and Sideline Response System. Working with collaborators in BME and Neurosurgery, we are looking at the imaging correlates of traumatic brain injuries in football players. This study uses sensors that measure head acceleration into the helmets of Wake Forest University (WFU) varsity football players. By identifying the factors of an impact that affect TBI, the design of protective devices can be improved and treatments can be specialized based on the mechanism of injury. Information about the biomechanical characteristics of TBI in sports has the potential to contribute to other fields of research such as military protection and motor vehicle safety mechanisms.

Principal Investigator: Joel Stitzel, PhD

Investigators and Personnel: Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Alex Powers, Daryl Rosenbaum, MD, Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Kinematics of Impact Data Set

This is a collaboration with School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, and Virginia Tech. This study will instrument and map the head impact exposure of youth football players for all age groups from 6 years through 18 years. This program will consist of over 240 instrumented helmets on six different football teams in Virginia and North Carolina. It is anticipated that this research program will greatly enhance the understanding of child brain biomechanics and will lead to improvements in youth practice and game techniques as well as the development of improved helmets specifically designed for children. The study is the first of its kind to look at the full age spectrum from age 6 to 18.

Principal Investigator: Joel Stitzel, PhD

Investigators and Personnel: Stefan Duma, Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Elizabeth (Moody) Davenport, Alex Powers, Daryl Rosenbaum, MD, Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Development of a novel method of semi-automated landmark identification to allow for the creation of mapping functions that describe changes of the brain with age with regard to structure. This will ultimately be beneficial in the understanding of how the morphology of the brain is correlated to the biomechanics and functional outcome of brain injury.

Principal Investigator: Joel Stitzel, PhD

Investigators and Personnel: Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Jillian Urban

Theory of Mind

Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to use other people's beliefs to understand and predict their behavior as well as to modulate one’s own behavior. The purpose of this study is to determine if Theory of Mind training can change the way the brain handles information in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Investigators and Personnel: Kristinia Lundgren, PhD, Joseph A. Maldjian, MD

Effect of Caring Attention on CNS Functional Connectivity Patterns

Although caring attention is a critical element of the non-specific benefits of complementary therapies, little research has helped us understand the neurophysiology behind these effects. This project will compare the central nervous system functional connectivity patterns associated with exposure to neutral vs. caring attention, and will explore predictors (empathy, social desirability, mindfulness, and perceived stress) and correlates (self-reported changes in stress, relaxation and peacefulness) of these changes in healthy young adults. This study will help us better understand how caring attention improves well-being in normal people.

Investigators and Personnel: Kathi Kemper, MD, MPH, Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Mechanisms and Methods in Understanding the Placebo Response

Placebo responses are helpful in routine clinical care, but problematic in clinical trial design. To date, most research in the placebo response has been conducted in pain or Parkinson’s Disease. We will examine the underpinnings of placebo responding in the setting of insomnia treatment, looking for evidence of a ‘universal’ signature brain activity with PET and fMRI.

Principal Investigator: W. Vaughn McCall

Investigators and Personnel: Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA

Rapid-onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism

Rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP) is a rare genetic disease caused by missense and in-frame ins/del mutations in ATP1A3. It has features of both dystonia and Parkinson’s disease. We are looking at the functional and structural imaging correlates of this disease.

Grant Start Date: 2008-04-15

Grant End Date: 2012-03-31

Funded By: NINDS

Grant Numbers: 5R01NS058949

Investigators and Personnel: Joseph A. Maldjian, MD, Christopher Thomas Whitlow, MD, PhD, MHA