Skip to main content

Jeffrey Robert Petrella

Professor of Radiology
Radiology, Neuroradiology
Box 3808 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
1527 Hosp North, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


- Quantitating and modeling physiologic processes in normal and diseased states in the central nervous system through the use of imaging
- Application and development of advanced MR imaging technologies (e.g., diffusion, perfusion and fMRI) as well as advanced image processing and analysis techniques
- Elucidating the functional unpinnings of cognitive impairment in early stage Alzheimer's disease
- Development of functional imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of dementia
- Functional MRI as an aid to preoperative planning in patients with potentially resectable brain lesions

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Radiology · 2014 - Present Radiology, Neuroradiology, Radiology
Director of Alzheimer's Disease Imaging Research Laboratory · 2008 - Present Radiology, Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Center for Brain Imaging and Analysis · 2004 - Present Duke-UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published April 10, 2024
A New Diagnostic Model Offers Hope for Alzheimer’s
Published November 10, 2022
Two Alzheimer’s Drugs Tested Head-to-Head in First-Ever Virtual Clinical Trial

View All News

Recent Publications


Hippocampal Atrophy on Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Surrogate Marker for Clinical Benefit and Neurodegeneration in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer's Disease: Synthesis of Evidence from Observational and Interventional Trials.

Journal Article CNS Drugs · December 1, 2025 Amyloid-plaque reduction is currently the only recognized surrogate outcome for Alzheimer's disease (AD) trials, allowing accelerated approval of plaque-clearing amyloid antibodies. However, plaque reduction does not facilitate the development of new non-p ... Full text Link to item Cite

Data-driven modeling of amyloid-β targeted antibodies for Alzheimer's disease.

Journal Article NPJ Syst Biol Appl · November 21, 2025 Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta, which is strongly associated with disease progression and cognitive decline. Despite the approval of monoclonal antibodies targeting Aβ, optimizing treatment strategies while mi ... Full text Link to item Cite

Identifiability-Guided Assessment of Digital Twins in Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Research and Care.

Journal Article bioRxiv · August 22, 2025 Digital twins - personalized, data-driven computational models - are emerging as a powerful paradigm for representing and predicting disease trajectories at the individual level. These models have the potential to support diagnosis, monitor disease evoluti ... Full text Link to item Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Functional Networks of White Matter in Alzheimer's Disease and their Associations with Cognitive Decline

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by New Jersey Institute of Technology · 2024 - 2029

Mathematical modeling, machine learning, neuroimaging, personalized medicine, optimal control, Alzheimer's disease.

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Sanofi US Services, Inc. · 2026 - 2026

Collaborative Research: Personalized modeling of Alzheimer's disease

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2021 - 2025

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Rutgers University · 1987 M.D.
Georgetown University · 1983 B.S.