The goal of this research project is to understand the heart-brain-placenta connection from fetal development throughout the postnatal periods by using new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methodology in pre-clinical models for diagnosis, risk stratification, outcome prediction, and potential therapeutic strategies.

 

Long term outcomes would develop imaging methodology in order to do the following:

• Understand etiology and reveal what cannot be seen, understood, or appreciated with current clinical practice by developing more sensitive advance imaging methods

• To facilitate early detection and diagnosis before irreversible tissue damage occurs to allow timely intervention

• Establish non-invasive imaging-based surrogate biomarkers for guiding therapeutic development and efficacy.