Laboratory of Diagnostic Radiology Research at the NIH Clinical Center, Strategic Plans

Laboratory of Diagnostic Radiology Research (LDRR) serves as a focal point and training program promoting basic and clinical research in medical imaging and related fields with the Clinical Center.
To train US or permanent resident Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine MDs and PhDs designed to teach techniques and skills used to perform "Imaging Research" not readily available at Academic Institutions.
Fellows will be expected to perform peer reviewed experimental and clinical studies, which will allow them to explore the advantages of translational based research studying normal and pathological conditions from the bench to the bedside so that they can return to the extramural program and have tools necessary to compete for grant support.
To perform peer reviewed independent and, or collaborative imaging research in the areas of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Molecular Imaging/contrast Agent Development, and Image Processing.
Novel MR imaging techniques will be developed, evaluated and implemented in order to understand normal morphology and physiology, and physiological responses to pharmacological challenges in both experimental systems and clinical disease states.
Novel MR Spectroscopic techniques will be developed, evaluated and implemented to understand normal and abnormal metabolism and metabolic responses to pharmacological challenges in both experimental systems and clinical disease states.
Molecular Imaging will be advanced by developing Contrast Agents that will selectively identify products of gene expression under various experimental conditions and to identify mechanisms of disease and monitor treatment. Functional genomics, proteomics and molecular pathology techniques are incorporated in the Molecular Imaging laboratory.
Using Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) as model systems, imaging techniques will be used to the understand the pathophysiology, immunology and biochemistry of demyelination, remyelination, neuronal and axonal damage/loss in the CNS. The response to novel pharmacological therapies in MS, EAE and myelin regeneration through transplantation of oligodendrocytes will also be explored.
To develop, implement and support new image processing techniques to further utilize the information available in imaging studies and correlate to normal and disease conditions.