Neuroradiology: Our Research
Research is a major emphasis of our division, and all faculty and fellows are involved in ongoing research projects. Our team has published more than 700 peer-reviewed papers, 100 non-peered reviewed papers (not including book chapters), and 13 books. The faculty have presented over 650 abstracts, 200 scientific exhibits, and have given over 550 invited lectures. The division published more than 50 scientific manuscripts on all aspects of neuroradiology (not including book chapters) in 2009.
The research is supported by the modern, well-equipped facilities at the University of Michigan Hospitals. This includes a dedicated 3T Philips Acieva, which is sited within the hospital and fully administered by the Department of Radiology and a global CT research agreement with GE. There is also a very close research collaboration with the MR Research Division headed by Brian Ross, Ph.D., and Tom Chenevert, Ph.D., which has received nearly $20 million in additional research funding during the past year. Ample support resources are also available to interested faculty through the Associate Chair for Research. This includes "seed money" ($100,000 a year) for new project initiatives, personnel for assisting with IRB applications, research associates to support clinical trials, departmental support to faculty to participate in departmental and national grant preparation workshops and additional personnel to assist in identifying funding sources and preparing grant applications.
The research interests cover all areas of neuroradiology including brain, spine and head and neck. Specific interests include neuro-oncology, pediatric malformations, psychiatric disorders, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. Because of our tandem clinical and research 3T units, there is a strong emphasis on advanced metabolic and physiologic modalities in the CNS which include diffusion, diffusion tensor imaging, CT & MR perfusion (stroke and tumor imaging), and fMRI in a variety of clinical disorders. There is also a strong emphasis on investigating emerging metabolic and physiologic imaging techniques to evaluate head and neck cancer and to differentiate recurrent tumors from post-therapeutic changes in previously treated patients. These technologies include PET-CT, Thallium-201, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, MR perfusion and CT perfusion. Most recently, we have been investigating metabolic and molecular imaging of head and neck neoplasms at 3T.
Faculty members are principle investigators or co-investigators on numerous externally funded grants and clinical trials focused on physiologic and metabolic imaging and multi-institutional trials. These are summarized below.
External Awards
- PO1 CA59827 Title: “Optimization of High Dose Conformal Therapy: Individualizing IMRT Treatment in Brain and Head/Neck Cancer. (NIH)
- PO1 CA85873 Title: "Surrogate Imaging Markers for Brain Tumor Therapy" (NIH)
- R21 CA113699-02 Title: Assessment of BBB Disruption during RT using DCE MRI (NIH)
- R01 DA018974-02 Title: Effects of Nicotine on Human Cerebral Transmitters (NIH)
- W81XWH-07-0050 Title: Developing Biomarkers for Fibromyalgia. (DOD)
- Magnetic Resonance, Spectroscopy, Perfusion and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in CNS Vasculitis. A study to evaluate MRS, DTI and MR perfusion in SLE patients. (Berlex Research Fund)
- Th 17 Polarization and Trafficking in Multiple Sclerosis (Dana Foundation)
- MR Molecular Imaging of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) Modulation in an Experimental Model of Stroke (2007 Bayer/NER Foundation Fellowship in Basic Science Research)
- Hyposmia, Septohippocampal Cholinergic Denervation, and Amyloidopathy in Mild Cognitive Impairment (2009 RSNA Scholar's Award)
- Becoming a Translational Researcher in Imaging of Neuropsychiatric Diseases (2009 American Roentgen Ray Scholar)
National Multicenter Clinical Trials
- Principle Investigator: American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN #6658)
- Ultravist 370 Protocol #309660. National Expert and Site Principle Investigator: Bayer Pharmaceuticals
- Gadovist Protocol #310124. Site Principle Investigator Bayer Pharmaceuticals Si
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to investigate the effects of Rosiglitazone (extended release tablets) on cerebral glucose utilization and cognition in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease. Co-investigator. GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
- "A phase 11, multicenter, open-label, long-term treatment study to determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of AAB-001 (ELN 115727) in patients with Alzheimer's Disease who participated in study AAB-001-201 or AAB-001-202" Co-investigator Elan Pharmaceutical
- "Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative", HUM #0000537, Sponsor is ADCS, Co-investigator
- Evaluation of Doltarem®-Enhanced MRA Compared To Time-Of-Flight MRA In The Diagnosis of Carotid And Vertebral Basilar Arterial Disease
- Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of Dotarem® in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Patients with Central Nervous System (CNS) Lesions (SENTIO Study)
University of Michigan Clinical Trials and Current Research Projects
- "Advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: efficacy of positron emission tomography (PET) for determining tumor regression during concomitant chemo-irradiation therapy”.
- “A Phase II trial using Tetrathiomolybdate in patients with metastatic head and neck cancer following treatment with Cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil.”
- A Phase II trial evaluating weekly Docetaxel and Capecitabine in patients with metastatic, advanced, locally recurrent head and neck cancer
- “Phase I study of concurrent gemcitabine and radiotherapy (RT) for malignant high grade gliomas”
- “Phase I study of concurrent temozolomide and 3D conformal radiotherapy dose escalation for treatment of high grade gliomas”
- “A Study of Early Tumor Response Assessment and Modification of Head and Neck Cancer Irradiation Plans Using Diffusion MRI”
- "Magnetic Resonance, Spectroscopy, Perfusion and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Neuropsychiatric Lupus."
- "A Phase II Organ Preservation Trial Using Cetuximab and Radiation Therapy in Advanced Laryngeal Cancer Patients Who Have Responded to One Cycle of Induction Chemotherapy with Taxotere, Cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil (TPF), and Cetuximab"
- "Brain Atrophy in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients"
- "A Pilot Study of the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke with Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation"
- A Randomized, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled and Active Reference (Glatiramer Acetate) Comparison Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of BG00012 in Subjects with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Perfusion and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Neuropsychiatric Lupus
- A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Multi-Center Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MBP8298 In Subjects with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
- A 24-month double-blind, randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, parallel group study comparing the efficacy and safety of 0.5 mg and 1.25mg fingolimod(FTY720) administered orally once daily vs. placebo in patients with RRMS.
- A Phase III, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo controlled, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral cladribine in subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
- Brain Atrophy in Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients (CTSA pilot grant University of Michigan)
- A Pilot Study of the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke with Cervical Spinal Cord (CTSA pilot grant University of Michigan)
- Retrospective Review of Treatment of Craniofacial Vascular Malformation
- Role of Diffusion - Weight MR Imaging in Differentiating Recurrent/Residual Disease from Post Treatment Changes
- Strategies for Dose Reduction for Sinus CTs
- Evaluation of CNS Malformation with Fetal MRI
- Features in Patients with Septo-Optic Dysplasia
- The "Occipital Groove" in Neonates: An Occipital Bone Development Variant that can be Mistaken for Fracture
- Correlation Between MiniCAT Radiographic Findings of Sinusitis and the Clinical Symptoms of Sinusitis
- High Resolution MRI IAC-Cranial Nerve III in Patients with Vertigo
- Multidetector CT of the Temporal Bone in Patients with Conductive Hearing Loss
- MRI Parameters as Prognosticators of the Clinical Course in Multiple Sclerosis
- Development of Clinical Application using Gemstone Spectral CT Imaging in Brain, Spine, Head and Neck Imaging
- Retrospective analysis of diffusion and perfusion MRI data in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in assessment of response to chemoradiation
