[S-01] Symposium 01
A novel approach to decipher molecular mechanisms of human demyelinating diseases

[S-01-3] How to image myelin using MRI

^○Yaou Liu (Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, China)

Molecular targeted therapy has rapidly been developing in human intractable demyelinating diseases. However, it is still extremely difficult to cure demyelinating diseases and repair damaged tissues, especially progressive form of multiple sclerosis. To develop a novel therapy for intractable demyelinating diseases, it is critical to uncover novel target molecules involved in disease cascades. Large scale genetic studies and bioinformatics as well as genetically engineered animals are powerful tools for discovering novel risk molecules and examining functions of these molecules. Combined neuropathological and neuroimaging approaches are also useful to clarify disease cascades. In this symposium, four distinguished speakers give lectures on genetic, immunopathological, molecular imaging, and genetically engineered mouse approaches to identify novel molecules involved in pathomechanisms of human demyelinating diseases.

Dr. Yaou Liu, as a neuroradiologist, has been dedicating to basic and clinical neuroimaging research and focusing on elucidating the MRI features of neuroimmune disease especially neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and its clinical relevance. He serves as the executive director of Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2018.
Dr. Yaou Liu was awarded two PhD from Capital Medical University (China, 2013) and VU University, Amsterdam (The Netherlands,2017) , he has published 55 SCI papers including Immunity, Brain, Neurology, Radiology, which have been cited more than 800 times. He is the chief editor of the book “Neuroimage in central nervous system demyelinating diseases”(in Chinese). Fifteen international prizes in neuroimage and neuroimmune disease field were awarded including McDonald Fellowship from Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), Young investigator award and Best poster award of Pan-Asian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (PACTRIMS), Educational award from American society of MS (ACTRIMS), Merit Award from Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). He serves as the committee member for several international scientific organization e.g. Central Organizing and Scientific Committee of PACTRIMS, Editor of Neuroradiology and principle investigator of three national funds.