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Maria Engström

Professor

I investigate human brain function using neuroimaging and mathematical modelling. My research aims to explain neurobiological mechanisms and increase the understanding of different mental states, such as sleep, wakefulness, meditation, pain.

Functional Brain Imaging

My research interest is to investigate human brain function using neuroimaging and mathematical modelling.

My research aims to explain neurobiological mechanisms and increase the understanding of different mental states, such as sleep, wakefulness, meditation, pain.  I also have teaching assignments in different educational programs at LiU and I am head of the Division of radiological sciences.

Publications

2023

Sebastian Sten, Henrik Podéus, Nicolas Sundqvist, Fredrik Elinder, Maria Engström, Gunnar Cedersund (2023) A quantitative model for human neurovascular coupling with translated mechanisms from animals PloS Computational Biology, Vol. 19, Article e1010818 Continue to DOI

2022

Nicolas Sundqvist, Sebastian Sten, Peter Thompson, Benjamin Jan Andersson, Maria Engström, Gunnar Cedersund (2022) Mechanistic model for human brain metabolism and its connection to the neurovascular coupling PloS Computational Biology, Vol. 18, Article e1010798 Continue to DOI
Nawroz Barazanji, Paul J. Hamilton, Adriane Icenhour, Rozalyn Simon, Olga Bednarska, Sofie Tapper, Anders Tisell, Peter Lundberg, Maria Engström, Susanna Walter (2022) Irritable bowel syndrome in women: Association between decreased insular subregion volumes and gastrointestinal symptoms NeuroImage: Clinical, Vol. 35, Article 103128 Continue to DOI
Helena Gauffin, Anne-Marie Landtblom, Patrick Vigren, Andreas Frick, Maria Engström, Anita McAllister, Thomas Karlsson (2022) Similar Profile and Magnitude of Cognitive Impairments in Focal and Generalized Epilepsy: A Pilot Study Frontiers in Neurology, Vol. 12, Article 746381 Continue to DOI
Maria Engström, Johan Willander, Rozalyn Simon (2022) A Review of the Methodology, Taxonomy, and Definitions in Recent fMRI Research on Meditation Mindfulness, Vol. 13, p. 541-555 Continue to DOI

News

Maria Engström next to a magnetic resonance scanner.

Mathematical modelling brings brain insights

Can we see what is happening in the brain? Yes, we can in a sense, using imaging technology. But the processes in the brain remain to a large extent mysterious. Researchers are now using modelling to help understand these processes.

My research

BOLD hypothesis

Mechanistic modelling of brain function

By mathematical modelling, we can test different hypotheses explaining brain function. We apply systems biology approaches to describe the mechanisms behind the neurovascular coupling measured in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
fMRI of the brain

Functional brain imaging

In our research group, we use combined fMRI-EEG and mathematical modelling in studies of brain function related to different mental states e.g., sleep, wakefulness, meditation, and pain.
Sömnig tonåring - illustration

Sleep Disorders

In my research group, we study brain function in narcolepsy and periodic idiopathic hypersomnia, the Kleine-Levin syndrome, in order to increase the understanding of the patients' symptoms and possibly reduce the time to diagnosis.

Publications

2023

Sebastian Sten, Henrik Podéus, Nicolas Sundqvist, Fredrik Elinder, Maria Engström, Gunnar Cedersund (2023) A quantitative model for human neurovascular coupling with translated mechanisms from animals PloS Computational Biology, Vol. 19, Article e1010818 Continue to DOI

2022

Nicolas Sundqvist, Sebastian Sten, Peter Thompson, Benjamin Jan Andersson, Maria Engström, Gunnar Cedersund (2022) Mechanistic model for human brain metabolism and its connection to the neurovascular coupling PloS Computational Biology, Vol. 18, Article e1010798 Continue to DOI
Nawroz Barazanji, Paul J. Hamilton, Adriane Icenhour, Rozalyn Simon, Olga Bednarska, Sofie Tapper, Anders Tisell, Peter Lundberg, Maria Engström, Susanna Walter (2022) Irritable bowel syndrome in women: Association between decreased insular subregion volumes and gastrointestinal symptoms NeuroImage: Clinical, Vol. 35, Article 103128 Continue to DOI

Co-workers

Photo of Björn Gerdle

Björn Gerdle

Professor Emeritus

Anne-Marie Landtblom

Visiting Professor

Photo of Folke Sjöberg

Folke Sjöberg

Professor

Photo of Preben Kjölhede

Preben Kjölhede

Professor

Research at CMIV

qMRI brain stem

SAND:MAN

Sleep is a naturally recurring state, which still is a mystery since its function and purpose is not fully understood. In this project we explore the neural networks of the human brain that are involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness.

Research Centres

Two scientists are sitting infront of an MRI

Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV)

CMIV conducts focused front-line research providing solutions to tomorrow’s clinical issues. The CMIV mission is to develop future methods and tools for image analysis and visualization for applications within health care and medical research.
Image of molecules that will take you to WCMM's homepage.

Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine at LiU

WCMM at LiU focuses on the medicine-technology interface, and build upon our existing strengths in research within medical technology, materials science and bioengineering.

Research Area

Image from CMIV

Medical Image Science

Medical image science comprises techniques and processes intended to create images of a person for medical purposes. It reaches across disciplines such as radiology, endoscopy, microscopy, image processing and visualization.

Organisation

Photo of a MR camera. There is a blue light on the walls from the machine and there is a red, soft light coming from the middle of the machine.

Unit of Radiological Sciences

We conduct research in medical radiology and visualisation, radiation physics, radiochemistry and radioecology.
Wordcloud research subjects at HMV

Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences (HMV)

The research areas at HMV include experimental basic research to clinical, social and public health research. We conduct high-quality education in the sought-after care professions.
Medicinska fakulteten

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MEDFAK)

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences conducts research and education within medicine, healthcare and public health.

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