Neda Jahanshad

Neda Jahanshad is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California. Her research focuses on large-scale neuroimaging studies, particularly through the ENIGMA Consortium, emphasizing genetic and structural brain correlates of psychiatric and neurological disorders. She specializes in analyzing cortical and subcortical brain morphology, white matter microstructure, and their relationships with conditions such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Her work integrates genetic data, advanced neuroimaging techniques (e.g., diffusion MRI, structural MRI), and machine learning to identify biomarkers and understand disease mechanisms. Key contributions include developing normative models for brain aging, harmonizing multi-site imaging data, and studying transdiagnostic neurobiological patterns. Dr. Jahanshad’s research also explores the impact of lifestyle factors, genetic variants, and comorbidities on brain structure.

Publications highlight collaborations across 35+ countries, addressing topics like cortical thickness abnormalities in psychiatric disorders, white matter alterations in obesity-related conditions, and the genetic architecture of brain structures. She leads initiatives such as the ENIGMA-Meditation working group, advancing understanding of meditation’s neurobiological effects.