The characterization of aging is of great importance for social well-being and for the devastating impact of some neurological diseases associated with aging. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an investigation tool capable of capturing the deterioration of the network functionality of the human brain associated with aging and neurodegeneration. However, fMRI suffers from limitations due to the variation of physiological noise with age , which is a confounding factor that is difficult to separate from the effect of neuronal origin. This project aims to address this scientific problem, which has important industrial implications in the health sector and biomedical industry, by characterizing the physiological origin of fMRI noise in aging and in the early stages of neurodegeneration in terms of changes of vascular reactivity and of micro-motion. We will also develop appropriate mitigation methods.

The project was funded by the Lazio Regional Government under POR FESR LAZIO 2014 - 2020 A0375-2020-36648, POR A0375E0085 grant. The main results of the project will be published on this page.