Song Lab
Projects
Virtual Histology for Assessing MS Pathologies
Goal
Since MRI does not distinguish inter- from intra-axonal water signals, it reflects a weighted-average between inter- and intra-axonal signals. In the presence of inflammation-associated edema or minor axonal loss in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), the longer diffusion time for human scanners coupled with the increased inter-axonal space will lead to increased DBSI-lǁ masking the detectability of axonal injury. Thus, through separating inter- and intra-axonal water compartment signals, the sensitivity and specificity to axonal injury of DBSI-derived intra-axonal l|| (DBSI-IA-l||) may be improved. This new model will still preserve the isotropic diffusion specificity to inflammation and tissue loss.
Imaging Optic Nerve Function and Pathology: From Mouse to Human
Goal
To regenerate neurons and neural connections in the eye and visual system, requires the development of modalities capable of non-invasively imaging neural connections as they are reestablished between the eye and the brain. We have introduced two promising techniques, diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) and diffusion functional magnetic resonance imaging (diffusion fMRI) for visualizing the pathology and function of the optic nerve in situ. We combine these technologies to deliver a new, diffusion MRI-based method to assess optic nerve anatomy, function and pathology simultaneously in both mice and human subjects. We have this approach by monitoring the progression and/or regression of axonal damage in glaucoma and optic neuritis.
Assessing Brain Tumor Pathology Using Diffusion Histology Imaging
Goal
Pathological examination following stereotactic biopsy or surgical resection plays a vital role in current clinical decision-making for the management of glioblastomas (GBM) patients, based on the neuropathologist’s recognition of morphological signatures reflecting tumor cells and changes in the microenvironment, including treatment effects, which are characteristics missed by current MRI biomarkers. Hypothesis: Although an image biomarker of GBM needs to be sensitive and specific to tumor-induced structural changes, structural specificity alone is not sufficient to accurately detect and distinguish underlying tumor pathologies.
Virtual Histopathology for Accurate Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Goal
Therapeutic stratification and management of PCa patients relies on time-consuming pathological examination of biopsy specimens based on the grading of Gleason scores that determine whether a clinically significant tumor is present. Thus, the goal of this project is to validate whether the newly developed diffusion histology imaging (DHI), as a diagnostic device, can noninvasively and accurately detect and grade PCa.

Our People
The lab, led by Sheng-Kwei (Victor) Song, PhD, includes researchers with expertise in the development of diffusion tensor imaging.