Dr. Hugh Markus

Biography

Professor Hugh Markus specializes in understanding the pathogenesis of ischaemic stroke using advanced genetic imaging techniques, including molecular genetic neuroimaging, MRI, and Transcranial Doppler. He has a particular interest in cerebral small vessel disease, a major contributor to stroke and vascular cognitive impairment. His research focuses on the genetic determinants of both monogenic and polygenic diseases and the mechanisms behind cognitive decline through advanced multimodal MRI. Professor Markus is actively involved in investigating new therapeutic approaches and conducting imaging projects that assess blood-brain barrier leakage and glial activation in neuroinflammation in humans. He utilizes diffusion tensor MRI to study vascular damage and its relationship with white matter damage and cognitive impairment. As part of his contributions to stroke genetics, he participates in several international studies, including WTCCC2 and METASTROKE, as part of the International Stroke Genetics Consortium. He also runs a national clinical referral service for patients with monogenic stroke, specifically CADASIL.

Research Interests