https://med.umn.edu/bio/department-of-radiology/gulin-oz
Dr. Öz’ lab uses high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) to explore structural, neurochemical and functional alterations in diseases that affect the brain. The lab aims to establish biomarkers of neurodegeneration, in particular for rare, hereditary movement disorders that affect the cerebellum and the brainstem.
Research from Dr. Öz’ lab has shown that MRS biomarkers reflect underlying progressive neurodegenerative pathology in the cerebellum, that abnormalities in these markers become detectable before cerebellar symptoms (ataxia) manifest and prior to the appearance of gross histopathological changes and that they further reflect reversal of neurodegeneration. The group now validates these markers in the multi-site clinical trial setting, in preparation for trials where they are expected to be used for early disease detection and for monitoring treatment response.
