Past Research:

Preliminary work was done using two-dimensional fractal analysis approach. This demonstrated that the fractal dimension of the cortical ribbon from patients with Alzheimer’s disease was lower than those of age-matched controls. Additionally, regional variability was also noted in the fractal dimension metric. Currently, literature is being published on this topic. The two-dimensional research has become the foundation stone of the current three-dimensional research.

Current Research:

The purpose of the current research includes developing and refining a novel method to identify and quantify differences in the cerebral cortical structures of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. In order to achieve this goal, we are currently using innovative neuroimaging programs such as FreeSurfer, as well as developing our own three dimensional fractal programs. The long-term goal of this project is to incorporate this fractal assessment of cortical shape into routine clinical practice.

Our Facilities:

The Center for Brain Health was founded in 1999 as a research center aimed at understanding, protecting and healing the brain. The center integrates both scientists and clinicians from a variety of backgrounds including psychiatry, neurology, cognitive neuroscience, speech pathology, and behavioral health.

Collaborating Facilities:

The Alzheimer’s Disease Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Productive Aging Laboratory
Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Grant Support:

Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Execution Phase
NIH/NIA –CFDA #93.866 Grant Number: U01 AG024904    
9/07 – 9/09

The overall goal of this huge project is to define the rate of progress of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, to develop improved methods for clinical trials in this area, and to provide a large database which will improve design of treatment trials.

Role: PI for UT Southwestern Medical Center

United Negro College Fund / Merck Post-doctoral Fellowship       
10/01/06- 4/30/08

The primary goal of this project is to create surface models of the human cerebral cortex from high resolution magnetic resonance images

Role: PI

Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation  
1/1/07 – 12/31/10

The primary goal of this project is to develop a three-dimensional fractal analysis technique for quantifying changes the human brain

Role: PI