Spatial Disorder in the Aging Brain
Paul Laurienti, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Radiology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar
Spatial Disorder in the Aging Brain
Date: May 15, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to noon
About this Seminar
This presentation will discuss measures of spatial entropy that were adapted from the geology and ecology literature to assess spatial disorder in brain network organization in older adults. The spatial patterns of community structure from functional brain networks were assessed in a population of 192 older adults without cognitive impairment. Dr. Laurienti and his team evaluated associations that brain network disorder had with physical function and measures of metabolic syndrome. Potential opportunities for purposefully intervening on brain network entropy as a therapeutic to improve physical function outcomes in older adults will be discussed.
Additional Details
This is a free event hosted by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and co-sponsored by the institute's Center for Human Neuroscience Research. The Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar Series, which runs annually from September to May, has featured leading biomedical researchers from throughout the country since the program began in 2012. The lectures are also open to all members of the Virginia Tech community including graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, and staff, as well as the public.