Research on MRI and what it can reveal. Covers restorative-sleep imaging, new MRI agents for cancer, prostate imaging, and dementia mapping.
A recent study found that low back pain accounts for approximately one-third of new emergency department imaging in the US. Imaging utilization varies significantly by region, with patients in the southern US undergoing more imaging than those in the western US.
A study by Queen Mary University of London suggests regular cannabis use may be associated with an enlarged left ventricle and early signs of impaired heart function. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the cardiac impact of recreational cannabis use.
A 1999 MRI study published in The BMJ found that the penis is shaped like a boomerang during sex, challenging previous assumptions. Additionally, it revealed that the size of the uterus does not increase during female sexual arousal, contrary to previous reports.
Researchers found that professional drummers have fewer but thicker fibres in the corpus callosum, a brain structure responsible for motor planning. This leads to more efficient brain organisation and better performance in drumming tasks. The study also revealed that drummers' brains are less active in motor tasks.
Physicists at UC Riverside have designed an experiment to demonstrate magnetic resonance using a compass, aligning with the need for accessible explanations of medical imaging. The project, developed by undergraduate students and local high school teachers, showcases a hands-on, table-top approach to improving scientific literacy.
A new methodology to monitor patients with glioblastoma has been developed at the Universitat Politècnica de València, using Magnetic Resonance Images and biomarkers to track tumor growth and edema. The tool has been validated in a multicenter study involving seven European hospitals.
A study by Dr. Michael L. Lipton and colleagues discovered a significant correlation between oral contraceptive use and reduced hypothalamic volume in 50 healthy women. The findings suggest potential effects on mood regulation and emotional processing.
Researchers develop new diagnostic techniques to detect a leaking blood-brain barrier and a new anti-inflammatory drug that slows or reverses age-related cognitive decline. The studies show promise for diagnosing and treating brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
A team led by Professor Sylvain Martel developed a robotic platform using the fringe field of an MRI scanner to guide medical instruments through deeper and more complex vascular structures. The approach has been successfully demonstrated in-vivo, opening up new horizons for minimally invasive procedures.
A new study reveals that concussion damage affects the way information is transmitted between brain hemispheres. Researchers found a delay in reaction time when processing words presented to the left visual field, indicating a problem with information crossing from one hemisphere to another.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are using advanced MRI technology to study the connection between small vessel disease and Alzheimer's disease, aiming to identify new prevention and treatment targets. The team will visualize cerebrospinal fluid flow in real-time, shedding light on pathways linking SVD and CSF clearance.
A new study presents a novel MRI-guided procedure that effectively treats prostate cancer with minimal side effects. The technique, called TULSA, uses therapeutic ultrasound to destroy diseased prostate tissue while sparing healthy nerve tissue.
Researchers identified key brain areas linked to limited sense of touch, including somatosensory cortex and prefrontal cortex. The study supports findings from previous research on body awareness and discovers new brain regions associated with touch perception.
Researchers found brain damage in obese adolescents related to inflammation, particularly in regions controlling appetite and emotions. The study used MRI to track white matter damage and correlated it with inflammatory markers such as leptin and insulin.
A new non-invasive microscopy technique uses quantitative phase microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to detect the activation state of macrophage cells and distinguish between different cell types. This approach enables high sensitivity at the single-cell level, revealing cellular heterogeneity and outlier behaviors.
A new glassy carbon electrode has been developed to replace metal-based electrodes in deep brain stimulation procedures. The novel material is safer, more durable and can read both chemical and electrical signals from the brain.
Researchers used powerful imaging technology to discover a common indicator of brain inflammation in early-stage MS patients and its link to gray matter damage. The study found LME was present in nearly two-thirds of the patients, with significant correlations to lesions in gray matter regions.
A new study finds that gadolinium-enhanced MRI is a useful tool in diagnosing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), with 76% sensitivity and 85% specificity. The test can also predict recurrence, with patients who developed recurrences having less enhancement of their rotator cuff tendon and more synovial hypertrophy findings.
Researchers found that using ultrasound to guide treatment strategy does not improve treatment decisions in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. The study used MRI imaging to assess inflammatory activity and structural damage progression, but found no significant difference between the two groups.
Researchers developed an AI-powered method to identify biomarkers in MRI data that can help diagnose CM-associated pain in dogs. The study found that certain features in the third ventricle and sphenoid bone are associated with pain, while others are linked to syringomyelia.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique to track maternal blood flow to the placenta, identifying women at risk for complications such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. The study found that women with reduced placental blood flow later developed one or more complications.
Researchers have developed an intelligent metamaterial that boosts the energy emitted by a patient's body, increasing signal-to-noise ratio and improving MRI imaging. The technology reduces scan time and cost, making high-quality imaging more accessible to patients worldwide.
A multidisciplinary team of MGH researchers has created the highest resolution MRI scan of the human brain, with a resolution of 1,000 times more detailed than standard clinical scans. This dataset has broad applications in understanding brain anatomy and diseases.
Researchers at Georgia State University have developed a protein-based contrast agent that can detect early-stage liver diseases, including liver fibrosis, with high accuracy and sensitivity. The new method uses a lower dosage of contrast metal gadolinium, reducing the risk of metal toxicity and enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment.
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that commercial facial recognition software can accurately identify people from brain MRI scans, even with image face removal. The study found an 83% success rate in identifying participants using publicly available facial recognition software.
Researchers found moderate levels of covariation between human and chimpanzee brain and braincase features, but distinct positions of brain sulci relative to cranial sutures in humans. The study suggests that changes in braincase morphology may be related to increased encephalization and bipedalism.
Researchers discovered traumatic microbleeds are a form of blood vessel injury following brain trauma, and predict poor outcomes. The study found that patients with severe head injuries were more likely to have microbleeds and greater disability.
A multi-million dollar study is enrolling pregnant women to track newborns' brain development and behavior after opioid exposure. Researchers will analyze brain images taken at various ages to identify early biomarkers of neurological dysfunction.
Research found that 45-year-old slow walkers have 'accelerated aging' on a 19-measure scale, with poorer lung function, teeth, and immune systems compared to faster walkers. Early life neurocognitive testing also predicted walking speed at age 45.
A new interdisciplinary study points to overexposure to pesticides as a likely cause for neurological symptoms among Canadian diplomats residing in Havana, Cuba in 2016. The research used advanced brain imaging tools and found changes in the brain that occurred during time in Havana.
Researchers at NIH and Siemens developed a low-magnetic-field MRI system that improves image quality of lungs and other internal structures, making medical imaging more affordable and accessible. The new system also reduces the risk of heating and allows for safer procedures for patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.
Researchers created the world's most realistic model of the human hand's musculoskeletal system using MRI and visual effects techniques. This breakthrough has implications for computer graphics, prosthetics, medical education, robotics, and virtual reality.
A study of adolescent and adult athletes found evidence of damage to the brain's protective barrier, without a reported concussion. The researchers detected leaks in the blood-brain barrier using advanced MRI protocol and biomarkers, suggesting that mild impact can still cause significant trauma.
Researchers found that children's brains are becoming more myelinated, which could affect estimates of cortical thickness. This discovery challenges previous hypotheses on brain development and has implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Multiple Sclerosis.
Automated machine learning techniques improve efficiency and accuracy in analyzing heart function on cardiac MRI scans. The study, conducted in the UK, found that AI can analyze a scan in approximately four seconds with similar precision to experts.
A University of Calgary-led study found that MRI scans can significantly improve the diagnosis of minor strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). In 30% of cases, the MRI scan led to a change in diagnosis. The study's findings suggest that MRI scans are essential for patients with non-traditional symptoms, reducing unnecessary med...
Researchers at CU School of Medicine have developed a new imaging method called 'fast MRI' that can effectively identify traumatic brain injuries in children without exposing them to ionizing radiation or anesthesia. The study found that fast MRI was completed successfully in nearly all cases, with accuracy similar to CT scans.
A new MRI analysis technique using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) helped predict thinking problems and dementia related to small vessel disease. Participants with the most brain damage were more likely to develop these conditions, and the scan accurately predicted three-fourths of dementia cases.
A study using sensor-enabled mouthguard technology and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI found that repetitive impacts cause damage to small blood vessels in the brain, leading to 'leaky' blood vessels visible on MRI scans. The research aims to improve player safety in sports with robust return-to-play guidelines.
A Queensland University of Technology study found that jelly baby lollies, fish-shaped sauce containers, vitamin D capsules, and coffee beans are viable alternatives to commercial MRI markers. These items were tested on a thigh scan and showed clear visibility, making them effective for pinpointing anatomical areas or pathologies.
Researchers at Hebrew University have developed an MRI technique that can detect molecular changes in the brain, allowing for early disease diagnosis and treatment. This non-invasive method provides biological readouts of brain tissue, enabling doctors to compare scans over time and differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue.
The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology published expert consensus recommendations for multimodality imaging in cardiac amyloidosis, aiming to improve diagnosis and management. The guidelines unify standardized imaging methods, diagnostic criteria, and appropriate utilization across various imaging modalities.
The study analyzed 135 million imaging examinations among 16-21 million patients in the US and Canada, finding increased medical imaging rates among adults but declining nuclear medicine use. Imaging rates continued to rise among children except for CT, which declined since 2006.
A new study found that medical imaging rates have continued to increase in the US and Ontario, Canada, despite a campaign to reduce their use. The study analyzed over 135 million imaging exams and found that CT and MRI use have grown in most age groups, with a notable decline in children.
A recent study analyzed over 135 million imaging exams across the US and Ontario, finding that medical imaging rates have continued to increase despite campaigns to reduce their use. The study found a reacceleration in imaging use for CT and MRI scans in adults, with ongoing growth in both countries.
Researchers at University of Warwick have developed a new 3D MRI computing technique that can detect scar muscles in the heart without using gadolinium, which can damage kidneys. This technique reduces stress for patients undergoing MRI scans and provides more precise diagnoses, enabling earlier treatment for heart diseases.
Researchers found neurological markers in the brain that can detect people at-risk for developing psychotic disorders. The study used MRI scans to identify dysfunction in the striatum region, which is associated with increased levels of dopamine and faulty learning feedback.
A new blood test developed by UCSF has shown high accuracy in detecting concussions absent on CT scans, with the potential to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure and improve patient care. The test measures brain protein levels, which are significantly elevated in patients with traumatic brain injuries.
A recent study found that vaping impairs vascular function, reducing blood flow and increasing arterial stiffness in healthy adults. The study used MRI scans to measure the effects of e-cigarette inhalation on the body's vascular system.
A small number of pregnant women are exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) before recognition of pregnancy, according to a recent study. The researchers suggest implementing pregnancy screening measures and safety protocols to reduce inadvertent exposures.
A study published in The Lancet found that covert strokes are more common than overt strokes in people over 65 who have surgery, with one in 14 patients experiencing a silent stroke. This increases the risk of cognitive decline and other complications, affecting up to three million people globally.
A recent NIH study found that chronic active lesions in the brain, marked by dark rimmed spots, are a hallmark of more aggressive and disabling forms of multiple sclerosis. The study suggests that these lesions may play a role in progressive MS and offers hope for developing new treatments.
This review analyzes the diagnostic value of ultrasound in evaluating 7 major arthritic conditions. Ultrasound is found to be effective in delineating characteristic features for each condition, making it a convenient and accurate imaging modality.
A Belgian team developed a two-in-one contrast agent for medical imaging, combining MRI and photoacoustic imaging techniques. The bimodal probe enhances sensitivity while minimizing risks for patients.
Japanese scientists have developed a new method to construct 3D models from 2D images, overcoming several limitations in current methods. The approach uses non-rigid registration and blending of rigid transforms to create accurate 3D reconstructions of human embryos with high success.
The brains of individuals with exceptional general knowledge exhibit efficient structural networking, allowing for better information integration and recall. This is evident in a recent study where participants with more efficient fibre networks scored higher on the Bochum Knowledge Test.
A new imaging technique uses magnetic properties of the heart muscle to quantify changes in blood flow, identifying areas impacted by coronary atherosclerosis. This method eliminates the need for contrast agents or pharmacological stress tests, offering a faster and potentially safer diagnostic option for CAD patients.
A new study has found a significant increase in the use of computed tomography (CT) scans during pregnancy in the United States over the last two decades, exposing mothers and fetuses to ionizing radiation. The study suggests that alternative methods without radiation should be considered whenever possible.
Wearing magnetic eyelashes during MRI can create substantial artifact, obscuring entire phantom. The eyelashes detached from the phantom after scanning, attracted to each other due to friction and adhesion.
A portable, noninvasive fluid monitoring device has been developed using nuclear magnetic resonance technology, providing accurate measurements of leg fluid buildup in patients with end-stage kidney disease. The device's portability and ease-of-use could enable clinicians to track fluid buildup at the bedside, improving patient care.