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Richard Bronen, MD

Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging; Director for Faculty Affairs

Contact Information

Richard Bronen, MD

Mailing Address

  • Radiology & Biomedical Imaging

    PO Box 208042, Tompkin's East 2-209

    New Haven, CT 06520-8042

    United States

Yale Medicine

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Research Summary

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of epilepsy. Human epilepsy is associated with many types of conditions affecting the brain. Thus, the study of epilepsy with MR runs the gamut of cerebral disorders. These include tumors, vascular malformations, hippocampal sclerosis, migration disorders, perinatal insults, infections, trauma, and stroke. MR imaging is particularly important for the patient with medically intractable epilepsy (approximately 30% of epileptics) who may be a candidate for surgical control of their epilepsy, because MR usually detects the responsible lesion and guides decision making and surgical management. Current epilepsy research includes the investigation of MR imaging in the surgical epilepsy group.

Specialized Terms: Imaging of epilepsy, Cortical dysplasias, Temporal lobe anatomy, and Anatomic variants

Extensive Research Description

My research has studied MR Imaging of patients with seizures, including imaging of surgical epilepsy group, normal brain variations, temporal lobe embryology and anatomy, post-operative brain changes, hippocampal sclerosis, focal cortical dysplasia, and brain malformations. Current research investigates whether machine learning techniques will improve imaging detection of brain disorders underlying epilepsy.

Other research investigations involve MR imaging of pituitary anomalies and disorders.

I have collaborated with many groups investigating the hippocampus or temporal lobe, which included publications on changes in these anatomy sites with PTSD, child abuse, and functional MRI language activation.


Coauthors

Research Interests

Encephalocele; Epilepsy; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neoplasms by Site; Neurosurgery; Pituitary Diseases; Radiology; Seizures; Stroke; Vascular Malformations

Selected Publications

  • Long-term outcomes of tissue-based ACTH-antibody assay-guided transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas in Cushing disease.Erfe JM, Perry A, McClaskey J, Inzucchi SE, James WS, Eid T, Bronen RA, Mahajan A, Huttner A, Santos F, Spencer D. Long-term outcomes of tissue-based ACTH-antibody assay-guided transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas in Cushing disease. Journal Of Neurosurgery 2018, 129: 629-641 PubMed ID: 29027854, DOI: 10.3171/2017.3.JNS162245.
  • Whole-exome sequencing identifies recessive WDR62 mutations in severe brain malformations.Bilgüvar K, Oztürk AK, Louvi A, Kwan KY, Choi M, Tatli B, Yalnizoglu D, Tüysüz B, Caglayan AO, Gökben S, Kaymakçalan H, Barak T, Bakircioglu M, Yasuno K, Ho W, Sanders S, Zhu Y, Yilmaz S, Dinçer A, Johnson MH, Bronen RA, Koçer N, Per H, Mane S, Pamir MN, Yalçinkaya C, Kumandas S, Topçu M, Ozmen M, Sestan N, Lifton RP, State MW, Günel M. Whole-exome sequencing identifies recessive WDR62 mutations in severe brain malformations. Nature 2010, 467: 207-10 PubMed ID: 20729831, PMCID: PMC3129007, DOI: 10.1038/nature09327.
  • Frequency, prognosis and surgical treatment of structural abnormalities seen with magnetic resonance imaging in childhood epilepsy.Berg AT, Mathern GW, Bronen RA, Fulbright RK, DiMario F, Testa FM, Levy SR. Frequency, prognosis and surgical treatment of structural abnormalities seen with magnetic resonance imaging in childhood epilepsy. Brain : A Journal Of Neurology 2009, 132: 2785-97 PubMed ID: 19638447, PMCID: PMC2759335, DOI: 10.1093/brain/awp187.
  • MR imaging of epilepsy: strategies for successful interpretation.Vattipally VR, Bronen RA. MR imaging of epilepsy: strategies for successful interpretation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics Of North America 2006, 14: 225-47 PubMed ID: 16873012, DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2006.06.006.
  • MR imaging of the temporal stem: anatomic dissection tractography of the uncinate fasciculus, inferior occipitofrontal fasciculus, and Meyer's loop of the optic radiation.Kier EL, Staib LH, Davis LM, Bronen RA. MR imaging of the temporal stem: anatomic dissection tractography of the uncinate fasciculus, inferior occipitofrontal fasciculus, and Meyer's loop of the optic radiation. AJNR. American Journal Of Neuroradiology 2004, 25: 677-91 PubMed ID: 15140705, PMCID: PMC7974480.
  • Comparison of technetium-99m-HMPAO and technetium-99m-ECD cerebral SPECT images in Alzheimer's disease.van Dyck CH, Lin CH, Smith EO, Wisniewski G, Cellar J, Robinson R, Narayan M, Bennett A, Delaney RC, Bronen RA, Hoffer PB. Comparison of technetium-99m-HMPAO and technetium-99m-ECD cerebral SPECT images in Alzheimer's disease. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine : Official Publication, Society Of Nuclear Medicine 1996, 37: 1749-55 PubMed ID: 8917168.
  • Positron emission tomography measurement of cerebral metabolic correlates of yohimbine administration in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.Bremner JD, Innis RB, Ng CK, Staib LH, Salomon RM, Bronen RA, Duncan J, Southwick SM, Krystal JH, Rich D, Zubal G, Dey H, Soufer R, Charney DS. Positron emission tomography measurement of cerebral metabolic correlates of yohimbine administration in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Archives Of General Psychiatry 1997, 54: 246-54 PubMed ID: 9075465.
  • Positron emission tomography measurement of cerebral metabolic correlates of tryptophan depletion-induced depressive relapse.Bremner JD, Innis RB, Salomon RM, Staib LH, Ng CK, Miller HL, Bronen RA, Krystal JH, Duncan J, Rich D, Price LH, Malison R, Dey H, Soufer R, Charney DS. Positron emission tomography measurement of cerebral metabolic correlates of tryptophan depletion-induced depressive relapse. Archives Of General Psychiatry 1997, 54: 364-74 PubMed ID: 9107153.
  • Economic impact of replacing CT with MR imaging for refractory epilepsy.Bronen RA, Fulbright RK, Spencer SS, Spencer DD, Kim JH, Lange RC. Economic impact of replacing CT with MR imaging for refractory epilepsy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging 1997, 15: 857-62 PubMed ID: 9309616, DOI: 10.1016/s0730-725x(97)00047-7.
  • Predicting reading performance from neuroimaging profiles: the cerebral basis of phonological effects in printed word identification.Pugh KR, Shaywitz BA, Shaywitz SE, Shankweiler DP, Katz L, Fletcher JM, Skudlarski P, Fulbright RK, Constable RT, Bronen RA, Lacadie C, Gore JC. Predicting reading performance from neuroimaging profiles: the cerebral basis of phonological effects in printed word identification. Journal Of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception And Performance 1997, 23: 299-318 PubMed ID: 9103996, DOI: 10.1037//0096-1523.23.2.299.
  • Development and Reliability of a Method for Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Definition of Regions of Interest for Positron Emission Tomography.Bremner JD, Bronen RA, De Erasquin G, Vermetten E, Staib LH, Ng CK, Soufer R, Charney DS, Innis RB. Development and Reliability of a Method for Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Definition of Regions of Interest for Positron Emission Tomography. Clinical Positron Imaging : Official Journal Of The Institute For Clinical P.E.T 1998, 1: 145-159 PubMed ID: 14516589, DOI: 10.1016/s1095-0397(98)00015-6.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid cleft with cortical dimple: MR imaging marker for focal cortical dysgenesis.Bronen RA, Spencer DD, Fulbright RK. Cerebrospinal fluid cleft with cortical dimple: MR imaging marker for focal cortical dysgenesis. Radiology 2000, 214: 657-63 PubMed ID: 10715026, DOI: 10.1148/radiology.214.3.r00mr40657.
  • Childhood trauma associated with smaller hippocampal volume in women with major depression.Vythilingam M, Heim C, Newport J, Miller AH, Anderson E, Bronen R, Brummer M, Staib L, Vermetten E, Charney DS, Nemeroff CB, Bremner JD. Childhood trauma associated with smaller hippocampal volume in women with major depression. The American Journal Of Psychiatry 2002, 159: 2072-80 PubMed ID: 12450959, PMCID: PMC3230324, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.159.12.2072.
  • Basal Ganglia volumes in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.Peterson BS, Thomas P, Kane MJ, Scahill L, Zhang H, Bronen R, King RA, Leckman JF, Staib L. Basal Ganglia volumes in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Archives Of General Psychiatry 2003, 60: 415-24 PubMed ID: 12695320, DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.60.4.415.
  • Anatomic dissection tractography: a new method for precise MR localization of white matter tracts.Kier EL, Staib LH, Davis LM, Bronen RA. Anatomic dissection tractography: a new method for precise MR localization of white matter tracts. AJNR. American Journal Of Neuroradiology 2004, 25: 670-6 PubMed ID: 15140704, PMCID: PMC7974503.
  • Long-term outcome after epilepsy surgery for focal cortical dysplasia.Cohen-Gadol AA, Ozduman K, Bronen RA, Kim JH, Spencer DD. Long-term outcome after epilepsy surgery for focal cortical dysplasia. Journal Of Neurosurgery 2004, 101: 55-65 PubMed ID: 15255252, DOI: 10.3171/jns.2004.101.1.0055.
  • MR imaging of epilepsy: strategies for successful interpretation.Vattipally VR, Bronen RA. MR imaging of epilepsy: strategies for successful interpretation. Neuroimaging Clinics Of North America 2004, 14: 349-72 PubMed ID: 15324853, DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2004.04.002.
  • Increased number of subcortical hyperintensities on MRI in children and adolescents with Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Amat JA, Bronen RA, Saluja S, Sato N, Zhu H, Gorman DA, Royal J, Peterson BS. Increased number of subcortical hyperintensities on MRI in children and adolescents with Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The American Journal Of Psychiatry 2006, 163: 1106-8 PubMed ID: 16741215, PMCID: PMC2367225, DOI: 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.6.1106.
  • Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 is associated with atrophy of the amygdala in Alzheimer's disease.Basso M, Gelernter J, Yang J, MacAvoy MG, Varma P, Bronen RA, van Dyck CH. Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 is associated with atrophy of the amygdala in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology Of Aging 2006, 27: 1416-24 PubMed ID: 16182410, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.08.002.
  • Volumetry of amygdala and hippocampus and memory performance in Alzheimer's disease.Basso M, Yang J, Warren L, MacAvoy MG, Varma P, Bronen RA, van Dyck CH. Volumetry of amygdala and hippocampus and memory performance in Alzheimer's disease. Psychiatry Research 2006, 146: 251-61 PubMed ID: 16524704, DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2006.01.007.
  • Rating scales, scales of measurement, issues of reliability: resolving some critical issues for clinicians and researchers.Cicchetti D, Bronen R, Spencer S, Haut S, Berg A, Oliver P, Tyrer P. Rating scales, scales of measurement, issues of reliability: resolving some critical issues for clinicians and researchers. The Journal Of Nervous And Mental Disease 2006, 194: 557-64 PubMed ID: 16909062, DOI: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000230392.83607.c5.
  • A novel syndrome of cerebral cavernous malformation and Greig cephalopolysyndactyly. Laboratory investigation.Bilguvar K, Bydon M, Bayrakli F, Ercan-Sencicek AG, Bayri Y, Mason C, DiLuna ML, Seashore M, Bronen R, Lifton RP, State M, Gunel M. A novel syndrome of cerebral cavernous malformation and Greig cephalopolysyndactyly. Laboratory investigation. Journal Of Neurosurgery 2007, 107: 495-9 PubMed ID: 18154020, DOI: 10.3171/PED-07/12/495.
  • An "a la carte" academic radiology compensation plan: something for everyone.Goodman TR, Forman HP, Stein S, Bronen R, Brink JA. An "a la carte" academic radiology compensation plan: something for everyone. Journal Of The American College Of Radiology : JACR 2010, 7: 885-90 PubMed ID: 21040871, DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2010.06.014.
  • Recessive LAMC3 mutations cause malformations of occipital cortical development.Barak T, Kwan KY, Louvi A, Demirbilek V, Saygi S, Tüysüz B, Choi M, Boyaci H, Doerschner K, Zhu Y, Kaymakçalan H, Yilmaz S, Bakircioglu M, Caglayan AO, Oztürk AK, Yasuno K, Brunken WJ, Atalar E, Yalçinkaya C, Dinçer A, Bronen RA, Mane S, Ozçelik T, Lifton RP, Sestan N, Bilgüvar K, Günel M. Recessive LAMC3 mutations cause malformations of occipital cortical development. Nature Genetics 2011, 43: 590-4 PubMed ID: 21572413, PMCID: PMC3329933, DOI: 10.1038/ng.836.
  • Brainstem melanomas presenting as a cavernous malformation.Lu AY, Patel AR, Kuzmik GA, Atsina KK, Bronen RA, Jabbour PM, Hasan DM, Vortmeyer AO, Welch BG, Bulsara KR. Brainstem melanomas presenting as a cavernous malformation. Neuro-Chirurgie 2014, 60: 184-7 PubMed ID: 24856047, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2014.02.005.
  • Imaging of lumbar spinal surgery complications.Malhotra A, Kalra VB, Wu X, Grant R, Bronen RA, Abbed KM. Imaging of lumbar spinal surgery complications. Insights Into Imaging 2015, 6: 579-90 PubMed ID: 26432098, PMCID: PMC4656239, DOI: 10.1007/s13244-015-0435-8.
  • Acute Stroke in a Girl With an Absent Radial Pulse.Ghoshal S, Bronen RA, McCarthy PL, Pels SG, Beslow LA. Acute Stroke in a Girl With an Absent Radial Pulse. Pediatric Neurology 2016, 62: 77-8 PubMed ID: 27436537, DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2016.06.002.
  • Superior Pituitary Border Analysis in Immunotherapy-Induced Hypophysitis.Pucar D, Boustani AM, Bronen RA, Saperstein L. Superior Pituitary Border Analysis in Immunotherapy-Induced Hypophysitis. Clinical Nuclear Medicine 2018, 43: 284-286 PubMed ID: 29401149, DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001981.
  • Presurgical language fMRI: Clinical practices and patient outcomes in epilepsy surgical planning.Benjamin CFA, Li AX, Blumenfeld H, Constable RT, Alkawadri R, Bickel S, Helmstaedter C, Meletti S, Bronen R, Warfield SK, Peters JM, Reutens D, Połczyńska M, Spencer DD, Hirsch LJ. Presurgical language fMRI: Clinical practices and patient outcomes in epilepsy surgical planning. Human Brain Mapping 2018, 39: 2777-2785 PubMed ID: 29528160, PMCID: PMC6033659, DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24039.
  • Presurgical language fMRI: Technical practices in epilepsy surgical planning.Benjamin CFA, Dhingra I, Li AX, Blumenfeld H, Alkawadri R, Bickel S, Helmstaedter C, Meletti S, Bronen RA, Warfield SK, Peters JM, Reutens D, Połczyńska MM, Hirsch LJ, Spencer DD. Presurgical language fMRI: Technical practices in epilepsy surgical planning. Human Brain Mapping 2018, 39: 4032-4042 PubMed ID: 29962111, PMCID: PMC6175127, DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24229.
  • Transitioning From Radiology Training to Academic Faculty: The Importance of Mentorship.Retrouvey M, Grajo JR, Awan O, Catanzano T, Cheong LHA, Mankoff D, Burdette JH, Mendiratta-Lala M, Spalluto LB, Bronen RA, DeBenedectis CM. Transitioning From Radiology Training to Academic Faculty: The Importance of Mentorship. Current Problems In Diagnostic Radiology 2020, 49: 219-223 PubMed ID: 30904346, DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2019.02.011.
  • Transitioning from Radiology Training to Academic Faculty: Defining Your Role and Interests.Grajo JR, Retrouvey M, Awan O, Catanzano T, Cheong LHA, Mankoff D, Burdette JH, Mendiratta-Lala M, Spalluto LB, Bronen RA, DeBenedectis CM. Transitioning from Radiology Training to Academic Faculty: Defining Your Role and Interests. Current Problems In Diagnostic Radiology 2020, 49: 227-230 PubMed ID: 30929906, DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2019.03.001.
  • Diagnosis and Management of pituitary disease with focus on the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.Mahajan A, Bronen RA, Mian AY, Omay SB, Spencer DD, Inzucchi SE. Diagnosis and Management of pituitary disease with focus on the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Endocrine 2020, 68: 489-501 PubMed ID: 32162185, DOI: 10.1007/s12020-020-02242-3.
  • Regional distribution of MR findings in hippocampal sclerosis.Bronen RA, Fulbright RK, Kim JH, Spencer SS, Spencer DD, al-Rodhan NR. Regional distribution of MR findings in hippocampal sclerosis. AJNR. American Journal Of Neuroradiology 1995, 16: 1193-200 PubMed ID: 7677010, PMCID: PMC8337833.
  • Sex differences in the functional organization of the brain for language.Shaywitz BA, Shaywitz SE, Pugh KR, Constable RT, Skudlarski P, Fulbright RK, Bronen RA, Fletcher JM, Shankweiler DP, Katz L. Sex differences in the functional organization of the brain for language. Nature 1995, 373: 607-9 PubMed ID: 7854416, DOI: 10.1038/373607a0.
  • Limbic lobe embryology and anatomy: dissection and MR of the medial surface of the fetal cerebral hemisphere.Kier EL, Fulbright RK, Bronen RA. Limbic lobe embryology and anatomy: dissection and MR of the medial surface of the fetal cerebral hemisphere. AJNR. American Journal Of Neuroradiology 1995, 16: 1847-53 PubMed ID: 8693985, PMCID: PMC8338224.
  • MR characteristics of neoplasms and vascular malformations associated with epilepsy.Bronen RA, Fulbright RK, Spencer DD, Spencer SS, Kim JH, Lange RC. MR characteristics of neoplasms and vascular malformations associated with epilepsy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging 1995, 13: 1153-62 PubMed ID: 8750330, DOI: 10.1016/0730-725x(95)02026-p.
  • Cerebral organization of component processes in reading.Pugh KR, Shaywitz BA, Shaywitz SE, Constable RT, Skudlarski P, Fulbright RK, Bronen RA, Shankweiler DP, Katz L, Fletcher JM, Gore JC. Cerebral organization of component processes in reading. Brain : A Journal Of Neurology 1996, 119 ( Pt 4): 1221-38 PubMed ID: 8813285, DOI: 10.1093/brain/119.4.1221.
  • Refractory epilepsy: comparison of MR imaging, CT, and histopathologic findings in 117 patients.Bronen RA, Fulbright RK, Spencer DD, Spencer SS, Kim JH, Lange RC, Sutilla C. Refractory epilepsy: comparison of MR imaging, CT, and histopathologic findings in 117 patients. Radiology 1996, 201: 97-105 PubMed ID: 8816528, DOI: 10.1148/radiology.201.1.8816528.
  • Embryology of the human fetal hippocampus: MR imaging, anatomy, and histology.Kier EL, Kim JH, Fulbright RK, Bronen RA. Embryology of the human fetal hippocampus: MR imaging, anatomy, and histology. AJNR. American Journal Of Neuroradiology 1997, 18: 525-32 PubMed ID: 9090416, PMCID: PMC8338418.
  • Focal cortical dysplasia of Taylor, balloon cell subtype: MR differentiation from low-grade tumors.Bronen RA, Vives KP, Kim JH, Fulbright RK, Spencer SS, Spencer DD. Focal cortical dysplasia of Taylor, balloon cell subtype: MR differentiation from low-grade tumors. AJNR. American Journal Of Neuroradiology 1997, 18: 1141-51 PubMed ID: 9194442, PMCID: PMC8337292.
  • A systematic approach for interpreting MR images of the seizure patient.Bronen RA, Fulbright RK, Kim JH, Spencer SS, Spencer DD. A systematic approach for interpreting MR images of the seizure patient. AJR. American Journal Of Roentgenology 1997, 169: 241-7 PubMed ID: 9207533, DOI: 10.2214/ajr.169.1.9207533.
  • Qualitative MR imaging of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy requiring surgery: correlation with pathology and seizure outcome after surgery.Bronen RA, Fulbright RK, King D, Kim JH, Spencer SS, Spencer DD, Lange RC. Qualitative MR imaging of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy requiring surgery: correlation with pathology and seizure outcome after surgery. AJR. American Journal Of Roentgenology 1997, 169: 875-82 PubMed ID: 9275915, DOI: 10.2214/ajr.169.3.9275915.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging-based measurement of hippocampal volume in posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood physical and sexual abuse--a preliminary report.Bremner JD, Randall P, Vermetten E, Staib L, Bronen RA, Mazure C, Capelli S, McCarthy G, Innis RB, Charney DS. Magnetic resonance imaging-based measurement of hippocampal volume in posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood physical and sexual abuse--a preliminary report. Biological Psychiatry 1997, 41: 23-32 PubMed ID: 8988792, PMCID: PMC3229101, DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(96)00162-x.
  • Management of patients with medically intractable epilepsy and anterior temporal lobe encephaloceles.Sandhu MRS, Mandel M, McGrath H, Lamsam L, Farooque P, Bronen RA, Spencer DD, Damisah EC. Management of patients with medically intractable epilepsy and anterior temporal lobe encephaloceles. Journal Of Neurosurgery 2021, 1-8 PubMed ID: 34507290, DOI: 10.3171/2021.3.JNS21133.
  • Imaging of Neuromodulation and Surgical Interventions for Epilepsy.Adin ME, Spencer DD, Damisah E, Herlopian A, Gerrard JL, Bronen RA. Imaging of Neuromodulation and Surgical Interventions for Epilepsy. AJNR. American Journal Of Neuroradiology 2021 PubMed ID: 34353787, DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A7222.
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