Deriving Functional MRI Equivalent Biomarkers in Friedreich Ataxia solely using Brain Structure Data

This proposal addresses the challenges in FA research by introducing an innovative method to generate functional MRI (fMRI) data and associated features from structural MRI, making the functional data more accessible and cost-effective. By leveraging brain geometry-function relationships and computational techniques, the project aims to develop sensitive and quantitative functional biomarkers to measure disease progression, especially in pediatric and non-ambulatory individuals with FA. This study aims to facilitate future clinical trials that can encompass pediatric and non-ambulatory FA participants, addressing the shortcomings of current clinical assessment scales and the scarcity of functional MRI research for these groups. This research holds the potential to transform disease monitoring, drug development and clinical management in FA, through sensitive and accessible functional biomarkers and expand research in other rare neurological diseases as well.