Dr. Francesa Bagnato

Dr. Francesa Bagnato

Specialty: Neuroimmunology
Primary Area of Research: MRI techniques for Multiple Sclerosis

Research Focus

Dr. Bagnato's research focuses on the use of non-conventional quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to better understand Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease processes. Her team employs high and ultra-high field MRI to study both human patients and animal disease models.

In 2019, the National MS Society (NMSS) funded her lab to investigate the role of chronic inflammation in newly diagnosed MS patients. Using cutting-edge 7.0 Tesla MRI technology, her team detects paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) in early-stage patients to determine whether these lesions predict clinical outcomes. This pioneering work contributed to the inclusion of PRLs in the updated 2025 MS diagnostic criteria.

Leadership Roles

  • Vice Chair of Academic Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Assocaite Vice Chair of Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Associate Professor of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Education & Training

  • MD, La Sapienza University
  • PhD, La Sapienza University