Research Areas

Our laboratory is involved in two large, multi-center, diagnostic studies evaluating novel imaging biomarkers pathologically specific for brain lesions caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) disease. These studies funded by NINDS and NMSS are evaluating the Central Vein Sign (CVS) and Paramagnetic Rim Lesions (PRL) in a prospective cohort of 400 subjects suspected of having MS (NCT04495556). Recent studies are confirming the promising diagnostic value of these biomarkers. Early results of these prospective studies are expected in late 2024.

Initially pioneered by Sati, our laboratory is now working on the next-generation of high-resolution 3D segmented echo-planar-imaging (T2*-EPI) and FLAIR* for rapid and high-quality magnetic susceptibility-based imaging in the clinical setting. Our strategy is based on a variety of technical approaches including highly accelerated image acquisition using complex undersampling schemes, real-time-image post-processing for image denoising and contrast enhancement, and ultra-fast inline image reconstruction for clinical PACS integration.

In collaboration with our colleagues in the Department of Neurology and Department of Computational Biomedicine at Cedars-Sinai, our laboratory is currently developing a new set of automated machine-learning methods for biomarker detection and disease prediction. These automated methods will empower clinicians at Cedars-Sinai and around the world with earlier and more accurate diagnostic tools and adaptive treatment strategies to keep the irreversible progression of neurological diseases at bay. More to come soon!