Neuroimaging Biomarker Core

The New Mexico ADRC is dedicated to advancing biomarkers that clarify the vascular contributions to dementia, including mixed dementia involving both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular risk factors. The Neuroimaging Biomarker Core plays a key role in this mission by developing and validating imaging‑based markers of vascular injury relevant to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Core Leadership

Arvind Caprihan, Ph.D.

Andrei Vakhtin, Ph.D.

Advanced Imaging Biomarkers

Using the Standardized Centralized Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias Neuroimaging (SCAN) protocol, the Neuroimaging Core will generate imaging biomarkers of vascular damage, including mean free water and peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity. The Core will also assess cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR), a promising non‑invasive biomarker currently under investigation in the multi‑center MarkVCID study, in which our team is an active participant.

Integration with Biomarker Research

Because CVR may reflect neurovascular unit dysfunction, the Neuroimaging Core will examine its relationship to plasma‑based biomarkers of neuroinflammation and blood–brain barrier integrity measured by the Fluid Biomarker Core. This integrated approach supports the center‑wide goal of identifying and validating markers of vascular impairment in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Expanding Access Through Mobile Imaging

The Neuroimaging Core supports the NM ADRC’s commitment to improving dementia research and care in diverse and rural communities. A 1.5T mobile MRI scanner will be deployed to reach participants in the Zuni Pueblo, located more than 100 miles from Albuquerque, increasing access to advanced neuroimaging. To ensure high‑quality and consistent data, an initial harmonization study will scan the same participants on both the mobile 1.5T scanner and a standard 3T scanner.

Core Aims

Advance Neuroimaging Capabilities

Aim 1: Support the New Mexico ADRC with state‑of‑the‑art neuroimaging and align with the neuroimaging priorities of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.

Expanded MRI techniques: In addition to the standardized SCAN MRI protocol, the Neuroimaging Core will provide access to advanced methods, including measures of blood–brain barrier permeability, quantitative T1 and T2 MRI, and cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR). The Core will work closely with the Data Management and Statistics Core (DMSC) and the Administrative Core to ensure data quality and timely upload to SCAN.
Mobile MRI for rural communities: Scan American Indian and Hispanic/Latino participants in rural New Mexico using a 1.5T mobile MRI scanner to improve access to advanced neuroimaging.
PET imaging program: Establish amyloid and tau PET imaging in collaboration with the UNM Department of Radiology.
Imaging–pathology integration: Relate fixed brain imaging to ante‑mortem and post‑mortem scans to enable direct comparison with histopathology.

Differentiate Alzheimer’s Disease and Mixed Dementias

Aim 2: Develop composite biomarkers that distinguish Alzheimer’s disease from mixed dementias by integrating MRI, fluid biomarkers, and neuropathology data.

CVR will be evaluated as a biomarker in Alzheimer’s disease and mixed dementias and compared with other MRI measures of vascular damage.
Neuropathology findings will be used to confirm small vessel disease and Alzheimer’s pathology.
In partnership with the DMSC, composite predictive models will be developed to improve early detection and differentiation of Alzheimer’s disease and mixed dementias.

Train the Next Generation of Neuroimaging Researchers

Aim 3: Provide training in neuroimaging techniques for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to early‑stage faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate and medical students.

Support innovative ADRD research through hands‑on training in advanced neuroimaging methods.
Promote community‑engaged research and education through lectures and learning opportunities highlighting the role and benefits of neuroimaging in dementia research and care.