Alicia Northall

How can neuroimaging provide biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases? My research investigates this question in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of Motor Neuron Disease (MND). ALS is characterised by a rapidly-progressing loss of motor control, typically resulting in death within two years.  

More specifically, I utilise multimodal 3T-MRI and recent advances in methods with increased spatial (e.g., 7T-MRI) and temporal (e.g., MEG) resolution. I use these to characterise structural and functional brain alterations in people living with ALS and asymptomatic gene carriers. 

My wider interests include neuropsychological impairment and methods of assessment in ALS/FTD, as well as supporting the mental health of patients after diagnosis.

I am part of the Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre within the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, where I am supervised by Prof. Martin Turner. In addition, I work in the Oxford-GSK Institute for Molecular and Computational Medicine (IMCM) within the Nuffield Department of Medicine.

I am also a member of Dr. Ludovica Griffanti's Neuroimaging Analysis for Clinical Translation (N-ACT) group and an honorary assistant psychologist in the Oxford Brain Health Clinic (BHC).