Jun Hua

Title : Structural and functional deficits in the olfactory system in parkinson’s disease assessed using advanced MRI techniques

Abstract:

Olfactory loss is a key symptom in the prodromal and early stages of Parkinson’s disease. Noninvasive imaging biomarkers can provide a powerful tool for diagnosing the diseases, monitoring the progression, and evaluating potential therapeutics. In this talk, I will first describe recent development of MRI techniques for imaging the olfactory system in the brain. I will then discuss the application of these MRI techniques in Parkinson’s disease to investigate structural and functional abnormalities in the olfactory system.

Audience Take Away

• Advanced MRI techniques for the olfactory system; Structural and functional abnormalities in Parkinson’s disease; Impaired olfaction in Parkinson’s disease
• The techniques are available on mainstream clinical MRI systems that can be shared worldwide.
• Abnormalities in the olfactory system are commonly seen in Parkinson’s disease. Noninvasive imaging techniques can provide sensitive and specific information about such abnormalities which can be used as potential biomarkers for tracking disease progression as well as potential treatment targets for the development of novel therapeutic interventions.

Biography:

Dr. Hua’s research has centered on the development and application of novel MRI technologies for in vivo functional and physiological imaging in the brain. These include the development of human and animal MRI methods to measure functional brain activities, cerebral perfusion and oxygen metabolism at high (3 Tesla) and ultra-high (7 Tesla and above) magnetic fields. He is particularly interested in novel MRI approaches to image small blood and lymphatic vessels in the brain. Collaborating with clinical investigators, these techniques have been applied to detect functional, vascular and metabolic abnormalities in the brain in neurodegenerative diseases.