High resolution imaging of the human hippocampus
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Cell and Developmental Biology
Abstract
The human hippocampus is critical to functions relating to memory and spatial navigation in an environment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique for the assessment of microstructural features and therefore offers the opportunity to map the detailed structure of the hippocampus in living subjects. Alongside this previous experiments have shown that hippocampal volume is increased in subjects with exceptional spatial navigation skills and changes in hippocampal structure can be detected following training of a spatial navigation task. The aim of this project is utilise and develop advanced models of tissue microstructure to better understand the relationship between hippocampal structure and spatial navigation skills.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M009513/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
| 1905882 | Studentship | BB/M009513/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/04/2022 | Jiyoon Yoo |
| Description | The human hippocampus is a complex structure that plays a key role in spatial and episodic memory. The hippocampus is involved in many neurological disorders and has become a key target in neuroimaging. Given its crucial involvement, diffusion imaging may provide unique microstructural information that is correlated with microstructural pathology. As such, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the human hippocampus has shown changes in mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) associated with neurological diseases such as epilepsy, ageing, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and others. Studies in using DTI show that although not specific, diffusion tensor parameters are sensitive to microstructural changes in the hippocampus. We hope to use a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to image the hippocampus and derive more specific, advanced microstructural metrics. |
| Exploitation Route | The imaging protocol may be further developed and optimised. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |