Program Director, Translational Imaging, Center for Health Sciences
Natalie M. Zahr, Ph.D., works on translational approaches using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tools in studies of human alcoholics and rodent models of alcoholism with the goal of identifying mechanisms of alcohol’s effects on the brain. Her position allows her to explore emerging MR technologies and apply them to test relevant hypotheses.
Zahr has a basic sciences background including the study of neuro- anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. She completed a B.A. in philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles and has an M.S. in neuropharmacology from Northeastern University. Her Ph.D. in anatomy and neurobiology is from from Boston University.
She trained as an electrophysiologist before beginning postdoctoral training at Stanford University as a MRI scientist. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for learning by teaching at local institutions such as UC Berkeley Extension.
Recent publications
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Cognitive Demands During Quiet Standing Elicit Truncal Tremor in Two Frequency Bands: Differential Relations to Tissue Integrity of Corticospinal Tracts and Cortical Targets
Given the complexity of sensorimotor integration invoked to maintain upright posture, the integrity of supratentorial brain structures may also contribute to quiet standing and consequently be vulnerable to interference from cognitive challenges.
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Dynamic Responses of Selective Brain White Matter Fiber Tracts to Binge Alcohol and Recovery in the Rat
To determine the dynamics of white matter vulnerability to excessive alcohol consumption, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used in an animal model of alcohol exposure.
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Imaging Neuroinflammation? A Perspective from MR Spectroscopy
The present MRS study was conducted in four groups: alcohol dependent, HIV-infected, alcohol dependent + HIV infected and healthy control individuals to determine whether metabolites would change in a pattern reflecting neuroinflammation.