Mustapha Bouhrara, Ph.D.

The Magnetic Resonance Physics of Aging and Dementia (MR-PAD) Unit develops and applies advanced quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches to understand the biological mechanisms of brain aging, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Our research integrates MRI physics, quantitative imaging, computational modeling, and clinical neuroscience to characterize brain microstructure, composition, and physiology and to develop biomarkers of disease risk, progression, and treatment response.

A central focus is the development and application of MRI biomarkers of myelin and axonal integrity, neurite density, tissue water exchange, iron accumulation, neuroinflammation, vascular function, and other determinants of cerebral tissue health. By integrating these measures with molecular, genetic, clinical, cognitive, and liquid-biopsy biomarkers, we investigate how aging and systemic risk factors influence brain biology and contribute to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

An important goal of the research program is to translate quantitative MRI biomarkers into tools for early detection, risk stratification, disease monitoring, and therapeutic development in ADRD. This work spans normative aging and neurodegenerative disease and leverages longitudinal human cohorts, multimodal datasets, and ongoing clinical and translational studies, including the BLSA, GESTALT, CARDIA, UK Biobank, DIAN, QTAB, ADNI, and other relevant cohorts.

After completing his undergraduate degree in physics in Morocco, Dr. Mustapha Bouhrara moved to France, where he earned a professional Master's degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis in 2007, a research Master's degree in morphological, metabolic, functional, and molecular imaging from Claude Bernard University of Lyon in 2008, and a Ph.D. in biophysics and magnetic resonance imaging from Blaise Pascal University in 2012.

Dr. Bouhrara joined the Laboratory of Clinical Investigation at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) in 2012, where he served successively as a Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow, Research Fellow, and Staff Scientist. In May 2020, he received the prestigious NIH Stadtman Investigator Award and became a Tenure-Track Investigator and Chief of the Magnetic Resonance Physics of Aging and Dementia (MRPAD) Unit at the NIA. In May 2026, he became a Senior Investigator and continues to serve as Chief of the MRPAD Unit.

Dr. Bouhrara's research has been recognized with numerous honors, including the NIA Director's Scientific Award in 2017, 2019, and 2024; the NIH Award of Merit in 2018; and the NIH Director's Scientific/Medical Award in 2024 for outstanding accomplishments bridging neuroscience through pioneering brain MRI research integrating physics, mathematics, signal processing and neurobiology, with a focus on aging, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. He also received the 2024 Mentoring NIA Director's Award for outstanding mentorship, marking the fourth time he has received this honor.