University at Buffalo (UB)
Assessing choroid plexus pathology in neurological disease with magnetic resonance imaging
This project will investigate the role of the choroid plexus, a key component in the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier of the central nervous system, using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
Project description
The choroid plexus, the primary producer of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the central nervous system (CNS), sits within the ventricles of the brain and serves as a critical component in the blood-CSF barrier. Recent studies have found that the choroid plexus is altered both in structure and function in a wide variety of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Pathology within the choroid is plexus is increasingly thought to have a role in influencing the progression of these diseases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the capability to assess choroid plexus pathology in vivo and relate it to clinical outcomes.
For this project, the student will use methods developed within the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) to study choroid plexus pathology in neurological diseases using already acquired MRI data.
Project outcome
- Students will gain experience in an active lab environment and participate directly in planning and executing neuroimaging research.
- Students will learn about the mechanisms and clinical characteristics of neurological diseases and disorders including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Students will gain an understanding of the physical basis and capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain
- Students will learn about the structure of the brain and how to perform statistical analysis on this data.
- Students will learn how to discuss academic research papers and will participate in writing and reviewing relevant sections of papers relating to their project.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Year-long (10-12 months) |
| Start time | Fall (August/September) |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | Hybrid Project (can be remote and/or in-person; to be determined by mentor and student) |
| Level of collaboration | Individual student project |
| Benefits | Stipend |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students There are no required prerequisite courses. Experience with Linux is beneficial and some working knowledge of the brain would help. |
Core partners
Project mentor
Niels Bergsland
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Phone: (716) 898-0632
Email: npb5@buffalo.edu
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
Reading the attached articles
2023-Bergsland-ChoroidPlexus_DP-Neurology.pdf
2023-Müller-Choroid_plexus_editorial-Neurology.pdf
If not already familiar with Linux, watch all videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvgasosJnUVnnFifxecbyEno7jnqrl8fQ
Keywords
Brain, neuroscience, engineering, computer science, imaging, MRI, engineering, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences