Composite image showing brain MRI scans, fiber tractography, brain connectivity network visualization, and MR spectroscopy data used in neuroimaging and machine learning analysis.

Imaging Research for Neurodevelopment

Led by Dr. Duan Xu, the Imaging Research for Neurodevelopment Lab at UCSF focuses on early detection of abnormal development in newborns. To achieve this goal, the researchers in Dr. Xu's lab develop dedicated MRI hardware, pulse sequences, and postprocessing techniques. These methods are then applied to the Premri, Bamri, and Cardiac cohorts to further elucidate neurodevelopment of the neonatal brain.

UCSF Radiology: Baby Brain Research Group

Science

BAMRI

This study explores hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in term new born infants. Hypoxic Ischemia Encephalopathy is a type of injury caused by lack of oxygen and/or blood supply which can occur before or during birth.

Learn more about BAMRI

PREMRI

Currently there is no way to predict developmental outcomes in babies that suffer brain injury as a result of prematurity. The goal of this study is to see if we can identify a relationship between the findings on a baby's MRI scan and his or her long term neurological and developmental outcome.

Learn more about PREMRI

CARDIAC

The focus of this study is to determine if the aforementioned techniques can help detect brain injury in babies undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease.

Learn more about CARDIAC

C13

Our group is working with the Hyperpolarized Technology Resource Center to employ advanced C13 spectroscopy to study the metabolism of brain injury in rodents.

Learn more about C13

Engineering

Compact 7T

Imaging for Neurodevelopment is partnering with GE and the Mayo Clinic to develop and test the next big development in advanced brain imaging: Lightweight, Compact, Low-Cryogen Head-Only 7T MRI. Delivering powerful imaging capability in a small footprint, this technology represents a tremendous step towards bringing high-field imaging to more clinical and research settings.

Learn more about Compact 7T

Machine Learning

Can machine learning approaches improve how we gather, learn and predict with our infant MRI data? Our group is working to implement the latest advances in machine learning powered image reconstruction, processing and analysis.

Research

Functional Baby Connectome

The goal of the project is to apply functional MRI technique based on BOLD mechanism to detect brain networks in babies. In order to do so, we detect temporal correlation between BOLD…

Oxygenation and Perfusion Study

This project aims to modify and apply existing ASL techniques to study neonatal cerebral perfusion to better characterize infants with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Spectroscopy

Studies have illustrated prognostic value in determining metabolite ratios between Lactate (Lac), N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), and Choline (CHO) from newborn infants.

Structural Baby Connectome

The goal of this project is to establish a framework for assessing structural connectivity in the newborn brain at any stage of development, starting with premature neonates, and to…

Publications

Towards the "Baby Connectome": Mapping the Structural Connectivity of the Newborn Brain

MR spectroscopy of normative premature newborns

Quantitative analysis of spatial distortions of diffusion techniques at 3T

A DTI-based template-free cortical connectome study of brain maturation

Phased Array 3-D MR Spectroscopic Imaging of the Brain at 7 Tesla

Spectroscopic imaging of the brain with phased-array coils at 3.0 T

Single-shot fast spin-echo diffusion tensor imaging of the brain and spine with head and phased array coils at 1.5 T and 3.0 T

People

Lab Life & Team Moments

A collection of photos capturing our lab members over the years — from group meetings and collaborative brainstorming sessions to casual lunches and team gatherings. These moments reflect the camaraderie, diversity, and dedication that drive our research community.