Using structural and functional imaging, our studies focus on identifying brain networks associated with various cognitive processes. We conduct resting state and task dependent fMRI studies. Our goal is to establish markers for early detection of dementia and to assist with discovery of therapeutics. Our studies target the discovery of impaired neural networks at early stages, and include persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), who are at risk of developing dementia.
Resting state functional networks
Attentional network
Attention Network Test (ANT) is employed to identify impaired attentional networks in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Parkinson’s disease. The study focuses on three types of attention: (i) alerting (ii) orienting, and (iii) executive, and maps neural networks altered in MCI.
Semantic processors
Semantic fluency and phonemic fluency paradigms are employed to investigate impaired networks at early stages for cognitive impairment.
Memory and hippocampal subregions
Episodic memory impairment is examined in Parkinson’s disease patients using a specialised paradigm to identify hippocampal subregions.
Email: pd.research@uq.edu.au
