Dr. Abigail livny ezer

I am a neuropsychologist and a neuroscientist, head of the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer.

During my training as a neuropsychologist I became interested in brain pathologies, in particular in the way the brain reorganizes due to acute and chronic neuro-pathologies and how such reorganization in both brain structure and function corresponds with cognitive outcome.  My interest in the understanding of brain functioning and in advanced brain imaging techniques led me to acquiring new skills in MR imaging in the context of brain disorders. 

The functional neuroimaging lab focuses on the diagnosis and prognosis of brain pathologies, in particular the way the brain reorganizes due to acute and chronic neuro-pathologies and how such reorganization in both brain structure and function corresponds with cognitive outcome.

The aim of my studies is to deepen the understanding of cognitive impairment and neuronal reorganization following traumatic brain injury (TBI), both due to the brain injury itself and due to brain plasticity post injury. My research focuses on the function and dysfunction of neuronal networks responsible for higher cognition, post TBI. We apply multimodal neuroimaging acquisition and analytical techniques (structural, functional and connectivity) together with demographic, clinical, cognitive and genetic data aimed to identify brain networks which are disrupted due to neuropathology. Finally, my research aims to improve diagnosis and prediction of prognosis in such clinical populations.

My study focuses on clinical populations, mainly TBI though, I also have numerous ongoing neuroimaging collaborations on the prognosis of other brain pathologies such as spinal cord injury with neuropathic pain, type-2 diabetes, alzheimer’s disease, addiction, stroke, schizophrenia, and obesity.