Research LP | Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center

Since its inception, the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) has established itself as a world leader in global and regional quantitative brain measurements in multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases and disorders. BNAC uses innovative imaging MRI techniques in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI), as well as other translational approaches, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and positron emission tomography (PET).

The Center is committed to the development and application of cutting edge analysis techniques in all areas of neuroimaging that can aid in our understanding of the onset, progression, and treatment of these diseases and disorders. These include brain atrophy, iron imaging, structural and functional connectomics, and many others.

The BNAC also strives to develop real-world translational approaches, determine the predictivity of biomarkers, and investigate interactions between the nervous and cardiovascular systems to better understand their relationship to neurodegenerative neurological disease and aging, as well as clinical, MRI, and genetic correlates.

Key Research Areas

Innovative MRI Techniques and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Compiling and analyzing large-scale datasets with tens of thousands of MRI scans across multiple timepoints in thousands of individuals using innovative MRI techniques and AI

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Understanding how retinal dynamics and other OCT data can be a window into neurodegenerative central nervous system processes

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Working with both new and established radiotracers to understand the molecular drivers of pathology and disease progression in inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as potential for remyelination and repair using various treatments

Brain Atrophy

Working to discover the causes and progression of neurodegenerative changes in diseases like multiple sclerosis, and creating new methods to measure them

Iron Imaging

Developing and applying state of the art methods for quantifying tissue iron content using quantitative susceptibility mapping

Brain Connectomics and Cognitive Outcomes

Bringing state-of-the art structural and functional MRI connectivity measurements to better understand neuroplasticity, recovery, and cognition

Real-World Translational Imaging Approaches

Developing imaging research methods that work with real-world clinical data and can be translated to the bedside

Linking Imaging Biomarkers with Immunology and Genetic Factors

Testing predictivity of Clinical, MRI, OCT and PET biomarkers with immunology and genetic correlates in neurodegenerative neurological diseases and aging

Heart-Brain Axis

Investigating complex interactions between the nervous and cardiovascular systems using improved diagnostic tools in neurodegenerative neurological diseases and aging

Research News

New multiple sclerosis study results revealed

Monday, October 28th, 2024

Researchers from the University at Buffalo revealed their findings on Wednesday morning from a study focusing on people living with multiple sclerosis both here in Buffalo and in Boston, Massachusetts.

UB researchers report findings from first studies of patients with rare severe MS

Monday, October 28th, 2024

A UB research program that is investigating what causes some people with multiple sclerosis to experience severe and aggressive disease is beginning to shed light on how their disease differs from those with mild to moderate MS.

Severe MS: UB Researchers Report Findings on Patients With Rare Form of Disease

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Initial findings from UB’s Comprehensive Assessment of Severely Affected MS (CASA-MS), reveal that some of the so-called “gold standards” of MS monitoring are inadequate for patients with severe disease and that novel methods of assessing these people can be more effective

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As an academic center of excellence within the esteemed University at Buffalo, our work is dedicated to fostering education at all levels. Together, we are driven in our pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries and transformative contributions to the field of neuroimaging and research.

The CASA-MS study seeks to develop and validate new diagnostic imaging and analytical tools to measure disease progression for people living with M.S.

Researcher Spotlight

Ferdinand Schweser, Ph.d.

Ferdinand Schweser, Ph.d. has pioneered the MRI technique known as quantitative susceptibility mapping and uses it to study the relationship between brain iron and MS.

Meet Dr. Schweser
Robert Zivadinov, MD, Ph.D.

Robert Zivadinov, MD, Ph.D., has served as Director of the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) since 2003.

Meet Dr. Zivadinov
Michael Dwyer, Ph.D.

Michael Dwyer is the Director of IT and Neuroinformatics Development at the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), and Assistant Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering at the University at Buffalo.

Meet Dr. Dwyer

Ferdinand Schweser, Ph.d.

Ferdinand Schweser, Ph.d. has pioneered the MRI technique known as quantitative susceptibility mapping and uses it to study the relationship between brain iron and MS.

Meet Dr. Schweser
Robert Zivadinov, MD, Ph.D.

Robert Zivadinov, MD, Ph.D., has served as Director of the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) since 2003.

Meet Dr. Zivadinov
Michael Dwyer, Ph.D.

Michael Dwyer is the Director of IT and Neuroinformatics Development at the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC), and Assistant Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering at the University at Buffalo.

Meet Dr. Dwyer

Who we've worked with

What They Say About Us

The University at Buffalo is extremely proud of BNAC. Throughout its 20-year history, BNAC’s team of multidisciplinary investigators has consistently maintained funded research programs that have used innovative neuroimaging techniques to make seminal discoveries impacting the care of patients with neurological diseases. BNAC has and is making a difference

Michael E. Cain, MD, Vice President for Health Sciences and,Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
BNAC’s world class research is an enormous asset for the region by attracting major funding to University at Buffalo and advancing the field of neuroimaging. The partnership between BNAC, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the Center for Biomedical Imaging has completely transformed translational imaging for our researchers.

Timothy F. Murphy MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor, Director, UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute
During the last ten years our MR imaging laboratory has collaborated with BNAC on multiple sclerosis projects. It has been a pleasure working with this team both technically and in person. We have shared visits between labs and helped foster a strong working relationship between our teams. This has led to more than a dozen joint publications and abstracts. One point of note here is that the BNAC has strong technical writing skills that has led to these publications being of the highest level. Our joint projects have included the study of cerebral microbleeds in MS and measuring iron content. We have for example seen slightly higher rates of CMBs and higher iron content in much of the deep gray matter and surprisingly in the pulvinar thalamus as well. The exciting thing about the research being done with the BNAC is the potential for practical clinical use as future biomarkers for MS. We look forward to many more interesting developments from this group.

E. Mark Haacke, Professor of Radiology and Vice-Chairman on Biomedical Engineering in the School of Medicine, Wayne State University
A few years ago the BNAC asked to collaborate on an MRI study in Parkinson’s disease. I have been shocked and delighted at all that we have discovered together. We have published several high impact papers that have advanced the field and have an even more exciting papers in development. The BNAC’s level of expertise and availability for these projects has been truly impressive.

Tom Guttuso, Jr., MD, Professor of Neurology, University at Buffalo, Co-Director, Movement Disorder Center

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Buffalo Neuroimaging is a University at Buffalo academic research center.

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