Neil Lab
Jeffrey J. Neil, MD, PhD
Our research group is focused on application of magnetic resonance methods to obtain a better understanding of brain injury. The methods used include magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy. We have been applying these methods to both animal models of brain injury and human subjects. Four representative projects are described below.
One recent innovation in imaging of brain injury has been the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for early detection of brain injury. Whereas conventional MR imaging methods do not show injury for hours to days after its occurrence, DTI shows injury within minutes. We are employing both animal models and tissue culture to investigate the basis for image contrast in DTI following injury.
We have been applying Bayesian probability theory to analysis of MR imaging and spectroscopy data.
We have been evaluating the use of sodium imaging for assessing brain injury. While sodium imaging presents technical challenges when compared with conventional MR imaging, the contrast available in sodium images of injured tissue is quite high. This is a result of increased tissue sodium content associated with the loss of ion homeostasis and increase in intracellular sodium levels in injured brain.
We have been applying DTI to newborn humans. The primary objective of this study is to determine which proportions of neonatal brain injury occur before birth, during birth and after birth. The answer to this question has implications for devising strategies to prevent or treat the brain injury which leads to cerebral palsy in children.
Principal investigator
Jeffrey J. Neil, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurology
Section Chief, Section of Pediatric Movement/Cerebral Palsy
Professor of Pediatrics
- Phone: 314-454-6120
Recent publications
- Prenatal exposure to maternal disadvantage-related inflammatory biomarkers: associations with neonatal white matter microstructureSanders, A. F. P., Tirado, B., Seider, N. A., Triplett, R. L., Lean, R. E., Neil, J. J., Miller, J. P., Tillman, R., Smyser, T. A., Barch, D. M., Luby, J. L., Rogers, C. E., Smyser, C. D., Warner, B. B., Chen, E. & Miller, G. E., Dec 2024, In: Translational psychiatry. 14, 1, 72.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Prenatal environment is associated with the pace of cortical network development over the first three years of lifeTooley, U. A., Latham, A., Kenley, J. K., Alexopoulos, D., Smyser, T. A., Nielsen, A. N., Gorham, L., Warner, B. B., Shimony, J. S., Neil, J. J., Luby, J. L., Barch, D. M., Rogers, C. E. & Smyser, C. D., Dec 2024, In: Nature communications. 15, 1, 7932.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Functional Connectivity Relationships to Longitudinal Motor Outcomes Differ in Very Preterm Children with and Without Brain InjuryCyr, P. E. P., Lean, R. E., Kenley, J. K., Kaplan, S., Meyer, D., Neil, J., Alexopoulos, D., Brady, R. G., Shimony, J. S., Rodebaugh, T. L., Rogers, C. & Smyser, C., Oct 18 2024, In: Neurology: Clinical Practice. 15, 1, e200397.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Subcutaneous deuterated substrate administration in mice: An alternative to tail vein infusionSong, K. H., Ge, X., Engelbach, J. A., Thio, L. L., Neil, J. J., Ackerman, J. J. H. & Garbow, J. R., Feb 2024, In: Magnetic resonance in medicine. 91, 2, p. 681-686 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Children born very preterm experience altered cortical expansion over the first decade of lifeGorham, L. S., Latham, A. R., Alexopoulos, D., Kenley, J. K., Iannopollo, E., Lean, R. E., Loseille, D., Smyser, T. A., Neil, J. J., Rogers, C. E., Smyser, C. D. & Garcia, K., 2024, In: Brain Communications. 6, 5, fcae318.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review