Yale University · Biomedical EngineeringNeuroVision Lab
Zhengxin Cai · New Haven, Connecticut
Research Focus
Dr. Zhengxin Cai's lab focuses on improving the understanding and management of spinal cord injuries (SCI) through advanced imaging techniques. The lab uses a special PET imaging technology to visualize changes in the brain and spinal cord, which may help in diagnosing and tracking the recovery of patients with SCI. Their goal is to provide new insights into neuroplasticity and therapeutic effects, ultimately enhancing patient care and therapy outcomes.
PET imagingspinal cord injuryneuroplasticitybiomarkersclinical translationtherapeutic evaluationsynaptic density
Research Aims
3AIM 01Determine expression levels of synaptic markers over time in a rodent SCI model.
AIM 02Validate SV2A PET imaging with behavioral tests in SCI rodent models.
AIM 03Select the best SV2A PET tracer for human spinal cord imaging using nonhuman primates.
Skills the Lab Values
PET imagingmolecular biology techniquesanimal modelsbehavioral testingquantitative imagingimmunohistochemistryradiotracer developmentlongitudinal data collectiondata analysis
Output against the department
Publications96bottom 16% of dept.498th of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations1.9kbottom 13% of dept.520th of 595
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.