The Alfredo Federico Strauss Center of Computational Neuroscience
SNBB
The Largest Brain Database In Israel
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The Research
Each individual possesses a unique set of traits and characteristics. To explore the question of "what the Israeli brain looks like," we need to recruit as many participants as possible for our database, which will contribute both to scientific research and healthcare.
Advanced Imaging of Metabolic &
Muscle Physiology
The lab utilizes MRI technology not just for anatomical viewing, but as a precise physiological measurement tool to quantify metabolic health and muscle recovery.
Key MRI-Based Research Areas
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Muscle Recovery Dynamics (MRI T2 Mapping): The lab uses advanced MRI techniques, specifically T2 relaxation time mapping, to probe the physiology of muscle recovery. This allows them to precisely visualize and quantify muscle damage and repair following activities like downhill running, providing a deeper understanding of recovery kinetics than standard methods.
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Fat Distribution & Metabolic Health: A major portion of their MRI research focuses on distinguishing between different fat depots to understand "metabolically healthy" versus "unhealthy" obesity:
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Hepatic (Liver) Fat: They use MRI to measure liver fat content, identifying it as a key determinant of metabolic health, particularly in adolescents and in response to different diets (like the Mediterranean diet).
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Visceral vs. Abdominal Fat: Studies use MRI to segment and measure visceral adipose tissue (VAT) versus deep subcutaneous fat. They have found that these specific MRI-measured depots provide distinct reflections of cardiometabolic outcomes and energy expenditure.
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Epigenetics & Aging (The CENTRAL MRI Trial): The lab has conducted large-scale randomized controlled trials (like the CENTRAL MRI trial) where MRI data is correlated with biological markers. For instance, they have linked lifestyle weight-loss interventions monitored by MRI to the attenuation of methylation aging.
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