Adolfo Cotter,MD

Brain-Mind Interface

Dr. Cotter practices Telemedicine in Primary Care. Conducts a competent, highly responsive Telemedicine practice since 2012, treating a variety of medical conditions from simple to very complex. Proficient with electronic medical records using a wide range of software packages and other forms of computing. Dr. Cotter also practiced Medicine doing Home Care, Urgent Care and Hospital Work.

Dr. Cotter has medical licenses in the states of Michigan, Indiana, and telehealth registration in the states of Minnesota and Florida. The links to the states medical boards are: Florida, http://www.flhealthsource.gov/telehealth/ Minnesota, https://mn.gov/boards/medical-practice/ Indiana, https://mylicense.in.gov/everification/ Michigan, https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_85566—,00.html

Dr. Adolfo Cotter founded Cognimetrix in 2007, motivated by a tremendous personal interest in the use of brain imaging data in the development of bionic based software to enhance creativity and intelligence.

Throughout his career, Dr. Cotter has performed brain imaging research in academic institutions such as Unversity of Toronto, University of Pennsylvania, and Emory University. He has also conducted brain imaging research for commercial companies such as at Cerebral Diagnostics.

Dr. Cotter has given lectures in Brain Imaging and attended numerous Brain Imaging meetings where he has presented his research projects. He has experience in brain imaging data acquisition and analysis for technologies such as PET, SPECT, MRI, fMRI and EEG. During his brain imaging analysis work, he has done biostatistics using a variety of software programs.

NeuroScience

  • Susceptibility Tensor Imaging (STI)

    STI is a new MRI”technology in development. It consists on creating images and  contrast based on the susceptibility of the tissue to the magnetic field. This susceptibility seems to be based to the anisotropic alignment of the molecules. The tissue ismore susceptible when the angle to the magnetic field is smaller. A recent study in Continue reading

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  • Transcranial Doppler (TCD)

    TCD  is the only non-invasive real-time neuroimaging study that can evaluate the characteristics of cerebral blood flow continuously. CT Angiography (CTA ) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA ) can do snapshots in time. Fluoroscopic angiography is the gold standard and can be used as a confirmatory tool. Some of the applications of TCD are: stroke, vasomotor reactivity Continue reading

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  • Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM)

    Very impressive advancements have been made in this field. The goal is ultimately to visualize matter at the molecular and atomic level. This of course will resolve and hopefully prove many of the questions and mysteries of atomic physics. Ultrahigh resolution 3D images are currently available and they promise to continue to improve. The key Continue reading

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  • Diffusion MRI Tractography as a diagnostic tool for Brain Pathology

    Diffusion MRI tractography can be used to evaluate for brain pathology by measuring for pathlength, for example. The pathlength constitutes neuronal brain connectivity between two specified brain locations. An abnormal pathlength could be increased or decreased. A significant change in pathlength should point to a specific brain pathology depending on the location of the path. Continue reading

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  • NY Times article

    Last month, a major step forward was taken towards bringing the science of brain imaging into mainstream clinical practice. It appears imminent that the FDA will approve the use of PET  scans for amyloid plaques as a diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease. In my opinion this is a great first step. Next we should look Continue reading

  • Diffraction Enhanced Imaging (DEI)

    This is a relatively new imaging technology that uses three “physical mechanisms” to generate contrast. Those mechanisms are: 1) X-Ray absorption, 2) Refraction, 3) Ultra small angle scatter rejection. This technology can produce high contrast images with much lower radiation dose compared to conventional radiography. One of the applications this technique might be useful for Continue reading

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  • Track Density Imaging (TDI)

    When using MRI, in order to increase spatial resolution we need a longer acquisition time. We also need the same to increase signal to noise ratio (SNR). High tesla MRI, although it increases SNR, it has a problem with deep penetration called the skin effect. Deep structures might be difficult to visualize. A new post-processing Continue reading

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  • Magnetic Resonance Elastography

    The elastic properties of human tissues have been evaluated in a clinical setting by palpation. Although this procedure has often helped clinical diagnosis, it is a subjective procedure and cannot be quantified. More recently a quantifiable technique has been developed using imaging technologies such as  MRI, Ultrasound, Optical Imaging and so forth, whereby the degree Continue reading

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  • Mapping the Mind

    As I mentioned on previous blog entries, I believe the brain and the mind overlap to some degree but also there should be a free brain area without mind and a free mind area without brain. Because our medications act on the brain but not on the mind itself, our knowledge of this interface is Continue reading

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  • Measures of Cortical Brain Thickness

    Anatomical MRI measures of cortical brain thickness have been recently evaluated. In normal aging there is a decrease in cortical thickness, which presents an anterior-posterior gradient, being more prominent in Frontal and Parietal than in Temporal and Occipital lobes. There are regional differences between both sexes. In Alzheimer’s disease the reduction in cortical thickness is Continue reading

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  • Nanoantibodies

    Nanoantibodies also known as nanobodies, have advantage over full size antibodies that they are more stable, aggregate less, and they can penetrate very small locations. There are currently attempts to make them cross the blood brain barrier ( BBB ). An idea that I suggest is to bind a nanobody to a nanoparticle, so the Continue reading

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  • Longevity and Genomics

    Methylation/demethylation of DNA  and/or histones, acethylation/deacethylation of histones and shortening of telomeres appear to be some of the epigenetic factors controlling gene expression over time. The epigenetic control mechanism is affected by the environment and seems to become progressively relaxed or disrupted as we age. Because of this disruption illnesses of aging can appear, including Continue reading

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  • Nanoparticles (NPs)

    Nanotechnology has made possible the production of Nanoparticles. NPs can be made of different materials such as ceramics, carbon and various metals. It also can take different shapes. They can be used in imaging and also to transport drugs. They can be widely used in imaging but in the case of Brain Imaging, its main Continue reading

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  • Neurogenomics and Human Cognition

    Our cognitive abilities are partially explained by our genes; The rest is explained by the environment. Because the interaction between genes and environment is complex, scientists have, so far, been able to identify only about 5% of the genes responsible for our cognition. Our genes can affect how much the environment is going to influence Continue reading

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  • Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

    This technique consists of a light emitting diode and two distant sensors attached to the fronto-parietal side of the skull. The concentration of oxygen is calculated by the differential signal between these two sensors. NIRS is used in neonates for the evaluation of the concentration of oxygen and hemoglobin. In consequence it can evaluate the Continue reading

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  • Do Brain Fitness games really work?

    A recent paper on Nature by Owen A, e tal titled- “Putting Brain Training to the test” actually says that Brain Fitness with computer games seem not to work. The article says that brain training can improve the respective cognitive ability but it will not generalize. I do not see any problem with this last Continue reading

  • Imaging Neuroinflammation

    The benzodiazepine receptor on the mitochondria of activated microglia constitutes a biomarker for neuroinflammation. The  PET radiotracer C11-PK11195 binds to this receptor, making the use of brain images a key diagnostic tool in disease states characterized by neuroinflammation. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are two such conditions. There has been a debate if Continue reading

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  • Imaging the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

    Relatively hydrophilic and/or big molecules have difficulty in crossing the  BBB. This hurdle has kept many promising drug treatments on the sidelines because they cannot reach their target. The same applies for certain radiotracers in brain imaging. In order to overcome this problem Nanoparticles (NP) that target specific transport mechanisms in the  BBB are in Continue reading

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  • Neuroimaging is useful to assess Neural Stem Cell Implantation

    MRI can characterize neural stem cell implantation by assessing the migration, proliferation and location. This can be achieved by labeling the neuronal “stem cells” with Iron, which can be observed with MRI. After the cells are implanted we see that the concentration of cells diminishes in the implantation area and increases in the final location Continue reading

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  • Association between White Matter Ischemia (WMI) and Carotid Plaque Morphology

    In a recent study by Patterson AJ, etal. the above relationship was evaluated. Carotid Plaque morphology as evaluated with High resolution in vivo MRI shows that certain plaque characteristics such as- thin or ruptured fibrous caps, large necrotic lipid core or intraplaque hemorrhage may be associated with thromboembolic Stroke. The question they had was if WMI is related to Continue reading

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  • Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging

    The use of near infrared light has the advantage of photon penetration. This kind of light is used in near infrared fluorescence imaging. Because there is little NIR fluorescence contrast generated by most tissues, most in vivo studies administer exogenous contrast agents. In relation to the brain, this technique can be used to map the Continue reading

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  • Augmenting Cognition

    There are many ways to enhance cognition, such as cognitive training software, meditation, medications, physical exercise, special foods, etc. The use of software seems to be very effective and basically has no side effects. The only adverse event I came across is dizziness, which seldom occurs, and is probably due to motion sickeness from playing Continue reading

  • Possible Imaging Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease

    Parkinson’s disease can be present for many years in an asymptomatic phase before becoming clinically evident. Therapeutic approaches might be more effective in the preclinical phase. The possible utility of imaging biomarkers in this case would be to perform a preclinical diagnosis as well as a differential diagnosis with other confounding diseases. Unfortunately there is Continue reading

  • Computer Modeling of a specific Brain function

    In a previous entry I specified that I believe there is a computer obsession and I do not to think we can mimic our whole brain in a computer. On the other hand I think we can model a specific brain function in the computer if we base this model on human brain data and Continue reading

  • Creativity

    I have noticed in myself that the more confident I am, the more creative I become–it takes courage to dive into the unknown. It is as if confidence pushes creativity forward, breaking the barriers for it to express and develop. Of course the more creative people are, and in consequence more successful, the more confident Continue reading

  • Effects of Neuroplasticity in Emotion Regulation

    In a recent interesting project done by Giuliani NR et al (Guiliani NR, et al, Emotion Regulation and Brain Plasticity: Expressive Suppression use predicts anterior insula volume Neuroimage; 2011 58(1) 10-15), they showed that expressive suppression of emotion, significantly increases the volume of the left anterior insula. Interestingly they also found that cognitive reappraisal and Continue reading

  • Positive Emotions have a Positive Effect on Creativity

    I continue to review the Dalai Lama’s book “The Art Of Happiness In A Troubled World” From the discussions in the book I can infer that positive emotions can be beneficial to creative thinking. When we feel happy and have other positive emotions we tend to make more associations, we see the bigger picture better Continue reading

  • The Brain’s Dark Energy

    Just as there is dark energy in the universe, there is dark energy in our own brain. It is dark because it is of unknown origin. Brain imaging results suggest that the brain works harder when it is daydreaming than when it performs a specific task, but we don’t exactly know why. This is interesting Continue reading

  • Individualism as Beneficial for Creativity

    I am reviewing a very interesting book from the Dalai Lama called “The art of happiness in a troubled world” The book mentions that individualism, and the sense of independence can be beneficial for Creativity. I find this statement related to my previous entry, where I mentioned that self- confidence can be beneficial for Creativity. Continue reading

  • Creativity and Self Confidence

    I have noticed in myself that the more confident I am, the more creative I become–it takes courage to dive into the unknown. It is as if confidence pushes creativity forward, breaking the barriers for it to express and develop. Of course the more creative people are, and in consequence more successful, the more confident Continue reading

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  • Helping Prevent a Society of Idiots

    Throughout history the advance of technology has produced both positive and negative consequences. Technology can help us be more efficient and hopefully produce better quality work. On the other hand, more than ever before we are becoming dependent on helpful devices that are so intelligent, in some ways we are not using our brains enough. Continue reading

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  • Prescribing Creative Activities in the Treatment of Dementia

    Creativity improves the overall sense of well being in patients with  Dementia. It helps them gain more meaning/purpose associated with their lives and makes them emotionally resilient. During the creative activity the whole brain seems to be working in unison, which should promote the formation of new synapses and neurons, including those related to memory. Also, the activities are often Continue reading