Multimodal Neuroimaging Infrastructure and Quality Assurance

What this project does

Provides a centralized multimodal neuroimaging platform that supports Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (AD/ADRD) research across the Houston ADRC. The Neuroimaging Core standardizes MRI and PET acquisition, quality control, processing, and analysis, enabling reliable AT(N) biomarker generation and integration with clinical, biomarker, and neuropathology data. The Core also specializes in emerging PET tracers—including imaging of neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter systems—positioning Houston as a leader in advanced quantitative PET biomarker development.

Why it matters clinically

Neuroimaging remains indispensable for defining disease state, staging, and monitoring progression even as blood biomarkers become more widely used. High-quality PET and MRI data allow accurate measurement of amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration, and vascular pathology—key determinants of prognosis and treatment response. The Core’s rigorous and standardized imaging ensures the reliable longitudinal tracking needed for early diagnosis, assessment of treatment effects, and precision medicine.

Key activities

• Implement ADNI4/SCAN-aligned MRI and PET protocols to ensure harmonized, reproducible data across studies.
• Apply rigorous image quality-control procedures using ADNI standards and a secure XNAT imaging database.
• Process imaging through validated pipelines for amyloid/tau PET quantification, morphometry, diffusion MRI, vascular imaging, and functional connectivity.
• Generate AT(N) biomarker datasets for 400 Clinical Core participants—supporting studies on sex-specific progression and vascular contributions.
• Support investigator-led research using novel PET tracers (e.g., TSPO, MAO‑B, muscarinic M4) with full kinetic modeling capabilities.
• Provide neuroimaging consultation, acquisition support, and harmonized analytical workflows to Houston-area AD/ADRD investigators.

What will be delivered

• High-quality, analysis‑ready MRI and PET datasets—including amyloid PET, tau PET, neurodegeneration, and vascular imaging measures.
• Longitudinal AT(N) biomarker profiles for participants, enabling sex‑specific and vascular‑stratified analyses.
• Quantitative outputs from advanced PET tracer studies (TSPO, MAO‑B, muscarinic M4) and other investigator‑initiated imaging projects.
• Training and support in neuroimaging methods for investigators, clinicians, and trainees through structured education and consultation services.

Who this helps

• Clinicians interpreting MRI and PET biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and monitoring progression.
• Investigators designing imaging‑based AD/ADRD studies requiring standardized acquisition and high‑quality analytical pipelines.
• Researchers studying sex‑specific mechanisms, vascular contributions, and novel biomarker development in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Trainees seeking education in cutting-edge multimodal imaging and quantitative PET biomarker science.