Magnetic resonance imaging

Develop magnetic-resonance imaging and particle-tracking methods to investigate how granular materials flow, mix and deform. The doctoral project combines experimental equipment development with studies of soft and irregular particles.

The escalating global obesity epidemic underscores the need to understand its intricate health implications. Research highlights associations between elevated body mass index (BMI) and structural changes in both white and gray matter (WM, GM). Given the indirect nature of BMI as an indicator of adiposity, a comprehensive evaluation of body composition becomes essential. This study explores distinct adipose tissue compartments, adipokine levels, and their interplay with structural alterations in both WM and GM, elucidating the complex relationship between obesity, brain structure, and metabolic

…to be mapped noninvasively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using this method, called IEG BLUsH, we interrogated the spatiotemporal relationships between neural activity and plasticity gene induction in an opioid administration paradigm. IEG activity and functional MRI (fMRI) signals were recorded following fentanyl treatments lasting several days (Fi

We have recently established Rnaset2-/- mice as a model system to improve the pathophysiological understanding of infantile-onset RNaseT2-deficient leukoencephalopathies and type I interferonopathies. Rnaset2-/- mice were viable and healthy at birth, but displayed upregulation of type I interferon-stimulated genes in all organs examined. At 20 weeks of age, RNaseT2-deficient animals developed IFNAR1-dependent neuroinflammation, characterized primarily by the presence of CD8 T cells and inflammatory monocytes. Single nuclei transcriptome analyses revealed homeostatic dysfunction in glial cells

The brain’s Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is a unique 3-dimensional macromolecular network implicated in homeostasis, neuronal plasticity, and aging-related cognitive alterations. Based on previous animal studies we hypothesized that neural ECM molecules like the proteoglycan brevican (BCAN) affect cognitive flexibility (CFL) also in humans. We addressed this hypothesis in young and older healthy human subjects by assessing flexibility performance and gray matter volumes (GMV) in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), a key structure for cognitive control, together with serum concentrations of

…AD is supported by in vivo molecular imaging of disease-related Aβ and Tau aggregates in the brain, and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. Positron Emission Tomography, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance imaging are the most common methods used. They are costly, which limits their use in routine screening. We used flu

The brain extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a physical framework and biochemical milieu for early (embryonic) morphogenetic and later (fetal and neonatal) histogenetic events. The specific ECM constituents and their dynamic spatial and temporal distribution at transcriptomics and protein levels were researched using RNAseq analysis and immunohistochemistry in 200 postmortem fetal and postnatal human brains. The ECM is especially prominent in the transiently voluminous histogenetic zones such as the neocortical preplate, subplate, and marginal zone. Still, it is also present in the smaller de

Chronic psychosocial stress is a major etiological risk factor for major depressive disorder. Preclinical studies have shown that chronic stress can suppress adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG). The primary goal of the present study was to test whether chronic stress and cortisol level translate into detectable changes in DG in humans. We recruited 55 participants without a history of psychiatric disorders. Clinical symptoms, perceived stress, and chronic stressors were rated on the Mood & Anxiety Disorders Symptom Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, and Trier Inventory for Chr

Magnetic Resonance Imaging has advanced our understanding of the neuroanatomical basis of psychosis. However, persistent challenges, including underpowered datasets, recruitment difficulties, high costs, and an overrepresentation of Western populations, hinder progress. Here, we introduce the Psychosis MRI Shared Data Resource (Psy-ShareD), a new open-access repository that aims to address these challenges by harmonising MRI datasets from labs around the world, to build a large globally representative resource. Psy-ShareD provides easily accessible and curated data, allowing a wide variety of

There is currently a paucity of neuroimaging data from the African continent, limiting the diversity of data from a significant proportion of the global population. This in turn diminishes global health research and innovation. To address this issue, we present and describe the first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) dataset from individuals in the African nation of Nigeria. This dataset contains pseudonymized structural MRI (T1w, T2w, FLAIR) data of clinical quality, with 33 images from healthy control subjects, 32 images from individuals diagnosed with age-related dementia and 21 from individ

Mouse models are valuable tools for investigating pathogenic mechanisms related to neurodegeneration. For Alzheimer's disease, several animal models have been generated which recapitulate critical aspects of the disease, such as accumulation of Tau aggregates accompanied by neuronal loss and brain atrophy. However, the detailed mechanisms of how these events occur are still not fully understood. To determine the temporal relationship between Tau pathology and neuronal loss, we used JNPL3 transgenic mice, which express human Tau with P301L mutation. JNPL3 mice develop Tau neurofibrillary tangle

Methylglyoxal (MGO), a by-product of glycolysis and major precursor in the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), is increased during ageing and in diabetes and plays a role in peripheral microvascular dysfunction. Whether MGO affects the brain microvasculature is unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate whether higher plasma MGO concentrations are cross-sectionally associated with markers for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and with cognitive impairment. In participants of the Maastricht Study, a population-based cohort study oversampled with type 2 diabetes (age=59.

…morphology in extant pinnipeds using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gross anatomical observations on three spotted seals (Phoca largha, a Phocid) and three Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus, an Otariid).Based on available data, we compared our observations on the semi-aquatic pinnipeds, to b

…arrays by standard noninvasive imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomograp

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome, involving affective, cognitive, and somatic symptoms. Neuronal underpinnings and mechanisms of MDD still remain poorly understood. Exploring the electrophysiological basis of MDD is important to delineate the heterogeneity of MDD. Neuronal oscillations are fundamental for brain function allowing dynamic routing of activity in densely interconnected brain networks. We investigated whether large-scale oscillatory neuronal connectivity could reflect the heterogeneous MDD symptoms. Resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) and

While for many years cancer research has mainly focused on targeting tumoral cells, recent studies have confirmed that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a major role in controlling glioma growth. Indeed, several studies have highlighted that the synaptic activity of pyramidal, glutamatergic neurons potently drives Glioblastoma (GB) proliferation. However, the role played by other neuronal cell types is still poorly understood. Here, we wanted to dissect the role of peritumoral interneurons in GB development. Taking advantage of chemogenetics, we modulated the activity of parvalbumin (PV)-

…and brain T1- and Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging data of the same participant in population-based LIFE-Adult study (Leipzig, Germany). We included 769 participants [44% female, meanAge (SD):54.1(15.8)] in voxe

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the hippocampal formation is currently investigated as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of memory disorders and epilepsy. Although various neurostimulation protocols have been extensively studied semi-acutely in epileptic patients, their refinement requires more standardized preclinical testing in non-human primates (NHP). However, targeting deep brain structures such as the hippocampal formation in NHP still remains a challenging task. Here, we present a technological framework for submillimeter targeting of the hippocampal formation in macaque monkeys

The human brain is a heavily interconnected structure giving rise to complex functions. While brain functionality is mostly revealed during wakefulness, the sleeping brain might offer another view into physiological and pathological brain connectivity. Furthermore, there is a large body of evidence supporting that sleep mediates plastic changes in brain connectivity. Although brain plasticity depends on environmental input which is provided in the waking state, disconnection during sleep might be necessary for integrating new into existing information and at the same time restoring brain effic

Cross-sectional and longitudinal multimodal brain imaging studies using positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided detailed insight into the pathophysiological progression of Alzheimer’s disease. It starts at an asymptomatic stage with widespread gradual accumulation of beta-amyloid and spread of pathological tau deposits. Subsequently changes of functional connectivity and glucose metabolism associated with mild cognitive impairment and brain atrophy may develop. However, the rate of progression to a symptomatic stage and ultimately dementia varies c