Jason Steffener, Ph.D.
Associate Research Scientist
The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain
630 West 168th St, P&S 16
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212.305.7855
Fax: 212.342.1838
Email: js2746@columbia.edu
Ongoing Research:
Investigating the Spatial and Temporal Hemodynamics of the fMRI BOLD Signal
In this research multiple imaging modalities are used to investigate the hemodynamic response to neuronal stimulation. The measured response to a stimulus is the result of a complex interplay between neuronal activity and blood flow with BOLD fMRI only capturing changes in blood oxygen levels. Through the use of other imaging modalities, such as structural and flow images, the BOLD fMRI response is investigated to capture a better understanding of the actual neuronal response to stimuli. This work also investigates factors that cause variability in the hemodynamic responses, such as spatial location, age or disease progression. The temporal dynamics of hemodynamics are investigated through the application of adaptive filters that track signal changes over time.FMRI Data Analysis and Experimental Design
This research investigates the interplay between task related signal change detection and experimental design. This work investigates design matrix formulation factors, such as efficiency, estimability and power, that maximize signal detection while also maximizing research participant's comfort.
Representative Publications
Tabert MH, Steffener J, Albers MW, Kern DW, Michael M, Tang H, Brown TR, Devanand DP. (2006) Validation and optimization of statistical approaches for modeling odorant-induced fMRI signal changes in olfactory-related brain areas. Neuroimage.
Lange G, Steffener J, Cook DB, Bly BM, Christodoulou C, Liu WC, Deluca J, Natelson BH. (2005) Objective evidence of cognitive complaints in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a BOLD fMRI study of verbal working memory. Neuroimage 26(2):513-24
Chiaravalloti N, Hillary F, Ricker J, Christodoulou C, Kalnin A, Liu WC, Steffener J, DeLuca J. (2005) Cerebral activation patterns during working memory performance in multiple sclerosis using FMRI. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 27(1):33-54.
Cook DB, Lange G, Ciccone DS, Liu WC, Steffener J, Natelson BH. (2004) Functional imaging of pain in patients with primary fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol. 31(2):364-78.
Hillary FG, Chiaravalloti ND, Ricker JH, Steffener J, Bly BM, Lange G, Liu WC, Kalnin AJ, DeLuca J. (2003) An investigation of working memory rehearsal in multiple sclerosis using fMRI. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 25(7):965-78.
Hillary FG, Steffener J, Biswal BB, Lange G, DeLuca J, Ashburner J. (2002) Functional magnetic resonance imaging technology and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation: guidelines for methodological and conceptual pitfalls. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 17(5):411-30. Review
Christodoulou C, DeLuca J, Ricker JH, Madigan NK, Bly BM, Lange G, Kalnin AJ, Liu WC, Steffener J, Diamond BJ, Ni AC. (2001) Functional magnetic resonance imaging of working memory impairment after traumatic brain injury. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 71(2):161-8.
Lange G, Holodny AI, DeLuca J, Lee HJ, Yan XH, Steffener J, Natelson BH. (2001) Quantitative assessment of cerebral ventricular volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome. Appl Neuropsychol. 8(1):23-30.