The goal of the NextGen Precision Health Neuroscience Science Seminar is to highlight transdisciplinary precision research taking place in the field, provide opportunities for collaboration among researchers to build their own research efforts and promote clinical/researcher activity across the University of Missouri System and our partners.
For questions about this event, please reach out to Mackenzie Lynch at lynchmm@health.missouri.edu.
“The Glymphatic System: Anatomy, Physiology, and Imaging”
Presented by:
Mai-Lan Ho, MD
Vice-Chair of Clinical Radiology, Vice Chair of Operations and Innovation, Medical Director of Radiology, Physician Director of Radiology Informatics, Division Director, Neuroradiology, MU Health Care
Professor of Radiology, MU School of Medicine
Date: January 27, 2025, 4-5 p.m.
Location: Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health Building/Atkins Family Seminar Room
*Zoom option available
Register Here
Description
First discovered in 2012, the glymphatic system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system, including nutrient delivery, waste clearance, and consistency of the ionic microenvironment. It is comprised of glial cells and barrier systems that modulate neurofluid production, circulation, and exchange. Experimental interrogation of glymphatic function is restricted to ex vivo and in vitro studies in animals and humans, therefore diagnostic imaging plays an important role in minimally invasive evaluation. This talk will synthesize current knowledge and theories regarding neurofluid dynamics and implications for neuroscience. First, we will summarize fundamental scientific understanding of the neurogliovascular unit, fluid exchange pathways, and neural barrier systems. Next, we will discuss physiologic factors that yield normal variations in neurofluid circulation, and how various disease pathologies can disrupt glymphatic drainage pathways. Lastly, we will provide specific clinical examples and rationales of disease pathology and imaging manifestations with relevance to glymphatic structure, flow, and function.
Speaker Bio
Mai-Lan Ho, MD, is an internationally recognized neuroradiology physician-scientist and leader specializing in advanced imaging and precision medicine. She has expertise in medical imaging technology, imaging genomics, and artificial intelligence. Dr. Ho leads institutional, national, and international initiatives for interdisciplinary research, education, and innovation and has written over 100 peer-reviewed articles, edited 4 books, and given over 500 invited lectures.
Dr. Ho completed her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Stanford University, graduate training at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and medical school at Washington University in St. Louis. She then pursued a diagnostic radiology residency in the Scholar’s Track at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, with focused experience at Boston Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Ho completed her fellowship and chief fellowship in adult and pediatric neuroradiology at the University of California, San Francisco.