SUMMARY
Jay J. Pillai, M.D. is a neuroradiologist with research expertise in brain physiology and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is used to study nervous system disorders such as brain tumors and dementia. Dr. Pillai has extensive clinical experience in the application of such advanced imaging methods to pre-surgical brain mapping and has worked to refine and optimize these methods through research. He has specifically studied the phenomenon of neurovascular uncoupling, which is increasingly recognized as an important limitation of clinical fMRI. He has specifically investigated the role of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) mapping using both established and novel approaches for the detection and mitigation of neurovascular uncoupling.
At the Johns Hopkins Hospital, he investigated the application of advanced perfusion MRI, chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging and CVR mapping for the characterization of brain tumors and dementia. Dr. Pillai plans to continue studying advanced perfusion MRI and CVR mapping in ongoing and future studies of brain tumors and dementia at Mayo Clinic.
Focus areas
- Promoting the clinical translation of emerging advanced functional and physiological MRI technology, especially for brain tumor and dementia imaging.
- Establishing national standards for clinical fMRI including language and sensorimotor mapping.
- Exploring the additional benefits of ultra-high field fMRI (7-tesla) for physiological brain tumor imaging including CVR mapping.
Significance to patient care
The development, refinement and clinical translation of advanced fMRI techniques aim to better understand brain physiology associated with brain tumors and dementia, which will aid in early diagnosis and characterization of different subtypes of these diseases. The same methods can be used to assess therapeutic response. As novel therapeutic strategies emerge — based on rapidly emerging genotypic and molecular characterization of distinct subtypes of these brain diseases — the imaging characterization of newly discovered phenotypes will become progressively more important. Such imaging characterization using physiological MRI may be more effective than that achieved with current structural MRI techniques.
Professional highlights
- Co-chair, Functional MRI Biomarker Committee, Quantitative Imaging Biomarker Alliance, Radiological Society of North America, 2017-2024.
- Manuscript reviewer, Multiple clinical journals, 2001-present.
- Director of functional MRI, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 2008-2022.
- Fellow, American College of Radiology, 2021.
- Editorial board member, American Journal of Neuroradiology, 2007-2020.
- Fellow, American Society of Functional Neuroradiology, 2019.
- Ad hoc grant reviewer, National Institutes of Health Study Section Special Emphasis Panels, 2004-2017.
- Senior author, Summa Cum Laude Award presentation, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2015.
- President, American Society of Functional Neuroradiology, 2008-2009.
- Ad hoc grant reviewer, National Science Foundation, 2003-2005.