John Huston, III, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to measure shear stiffness utilizing advanced Neuro Inversions (NNI) within cortical regions of the brain in patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Also, to determine the relationship between brain stiffness and existing biomarkers including anisotropy in white matter tracts for AD, and to develop a joint mechanical-diffusion assessment of white matter health and its relation to vascular injury. 

The purpose of this study is to develop and test the effectiveness of an investigational imaging technique called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to measure the stiffness (mechanical properties) of tissues.

The purpose of this study is to see if Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) a recently developed imaging technique can be used to characterize and help stage glioma tumors and evaluate response to therapy.

This purpose of this pilot study is to determine if there are changes in mild TBI detectible with MRE. This is the first time this novel technology has been applied to mild TBI and the anticipated results are theoretical.

We are doing this research study to develop and test the effectiveness of a new imaging technique called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). This technique measures the stiffness (mechanical properties) of the brain and cerebral spinal fluid.

The purpose of this study is to develop Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) techniques and protocol for brain applications on 7T MRI scanners.

The purpose of this study is to look at imaging characteristics of carotid plaques in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. Patients will undergo carotid plaque imaging with MRI and findings will be correlated with patient symptomatic status.

The purpose of this pilot project is to investigate the relationship between localized brain stiffness values and functional brain activity in response to external stimuli (visual/motor).

Our current study proposes to investigate the effect of motor and or visual stimulus on the stiffness of the motor and visual cortex using a novel compact 3T MRI system having a high gradient slew rate. We plan to leverage the unique capability of the compact 3T system to be able to obtain functional images at a higher temporal resolution in comparison to the earlier studies which used a time scale of 18 seconds and above.

The short term goal of this study is to determine the relationship between the fMRI (T2* activation) and fMRE (stiffness) activation maps, with similar time scale of activation. In the long term, the study aims to establish fMRE (stiffness activation maps) as a complementary technique to fMRI which may allow us to unlock shorter-time scales and responses of the mechanical properties of the brain, which may provide diagnostic information that cannot be assessed with traditional fMRI.  Furthermore, since fMRE provides absolute stiffness estimates, it has the potential to become a more quantitative and sensitive metric for detecting regions of brain activation in comparison to conventional fMRI (BOLD) contrast.

The purpose of this study is to see if Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) a recently developed imaging technique can be used to characterize and help stage glioma tumors and evaluate response to therapy.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate improved planning for meningioma and similar brain tumor surgery.

The purpose of this study is to assess if it is possible to use a carotid MRI/MRA to see if cholesterol lowering medication is causing a reduction in the amount of plaque in the arteries.