Research on MRI and what it can reveal. Covers restorative-sleep imaging, new MRI agents for cancer, prostate imaging, and dementia mapping.
Researchers at University of Nottingham have developed a new MRI technique to distinguish between multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and other brain white spots. The study shows that this clinical MRI scan can accurately diagnose MS in a significant minority of cases, potentially leading to quicker and more reliable diagnosis.
Researchers developed a mathematical tool to assess brain damage from concussions and predict migraine headaches. Using information theory, they found that Shannon entropy analysis performed better than mean FA as a diagnostic test.
Researchers have linked schizophrenia symptoms to specific brain features using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study identified distinctive subgroups among patients with different symptoms. Analyzing the brain's anatomy may help develop more precise treatments for individual patients.
Studies using advanced imaging techniques reveal changes in brain and spinal cord structure and function associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Researchers believe that CNS factors contribute to the development of painful symptoms, providing new insights into the nature of DPN.
UNSW researchers have identified a link between the physical structure of brains and spontaneous patterns of brain function at rest. The study uses harmonic waves to explain how brain shape influences resting brain activity, which could lead to new diagnosis techniques for disorders of consciousness.
Researchers at the University of Southampton found that bone marrow lesions on MRI scans can predict more rapid progression of osteoarthritis. Individuals with BMLs had a loss rate of 0.10mm per year faster than those without, potentially leading to earlier need for joint replacement.
Patients with high-deductible health plans use 7.5% fewer diagnostic tests like MRI, X-rays, and CT scans than those without such plans. High-deductible plans may discourage test use due to lack of informed decision-making by patients.
The technology uses metamaterials to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in higher-resolution images and faster scanning times. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostics, particularly in cancer detection and tissue analysis.
A study published in Medical Care found that patients with high-deductible insurance plans used fewer imaging tests and had lower costs for diagnostic imaging. However, the study could not determine whether this was due to high- or low-value utilization, raising concerns about potential drawbacks of high-deductible plans.
A systematic review of breast density studies found unreliable determinations and a significant risk of re-categorization. Supplemental diagnostic screenings for women with dense breasts may find additional cancers but also greatly increase false positive results, highlighting the need for more research on evaluation methods.
The study visualizes the human brain's neural anatomy, revealing previously unidentified connections between the brainstem and forebrain. These connections support the concept of an integrated central homeostatic network in the brain.
A new study using MRI scans found that 52% of active duty military personnel with blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) have white matter T2 hyperintensities, also known as 'brain scars'. Pituitary abnormalities were identified in almost a third of MTBI patients.
Researchers at University of Oxford have developed a new technique that uses T1 mapping to create pixel-by-pixel maps of the heart without injections, improving detail and reducing subjectivity. This technology has the potential to help diagnose heart conditions in patients with severe kidney failure.
A new imaging test has been developed to identify more dangerous tumours before they spread, and tailor treatment accordingly. The test uses oxygen-enhanced MRI technology to map areas of oxygen deprivation within tumours.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine used non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect vulnerable atherosclerosis plaques, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The study showed that MRI can discriminate between high-risk and stable plaques at early stages.
A new study using MRI reveals that elite free divers experience cardiovascular changes during apnea, including a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Despite these changes, the divers' heart function recovers quickly upon breathing again.
A study found that concussed football players had reduced cerebral blood flow even after clinical recovery, suggesting a role for MRI in determining when to allow them to return to competition. This technology may provide a more objective measurement of recovery and help prevent second injuries.
A study published at the Radiological Society of North America meeting found that ultra-distance running causes significant degradation in knee and ankle cartilage, but also enables its regeneration. The researchers used a mobile MRI scanner to track 44 runners over 64 days, revealing no distance limit for joint cartilage damage.
A study published in Radiology found that MRI-detected multicentric cancers are larger and potentially more aggressive than index cancers detected by mammography, necessitating treatment changes. In 25% of cases, these multicentric cancers were over 1 centimeter in size.
A new study using 3-D MRI found that diabetic patients have a higher risk of stroke due to advanced vascular disease, with 23.3% having intraplaque hemorrhage in at least one carotid artery. The finding suggests that 3-D MRI could be useful in determining stroke risk among diabetics.
The study found that overall happiness is a combination of happy emotions and life satisfaction, linked to the precuneus region in the brain. Individuals with higher grey matter mass in this area tend to experience more intense happiness and find meaning in life.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new approach to predict which tumors will be most responsive to therapeutic nanoparticles. They use an FDA-approved magnetic nanoparticle and MRI to identify tumors with high or low EPR, a physiological condition that allows nanoparticles to accumulate faster.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-developed system using diffusion MRI improved patient selection for endovascular treatment, leading to a greater percentage of screened patients receiving treatment. The system's precision resulted in similar outcomes to recent clinical trials and significantly increased the number of treated patients.
A new study analyzes 464 Twitter tweets related to MRI and finds that patients express anxiety about various aspects of the procedure, including diagnosis and treatment. The study highlights the potential use of social media platforms like Twitter to gather insights into patient experiences and improve medical care.
A study of nearly 3,000 adults found significant differences in how male and female hearts change over time. The research suggests that men's and women's hearts may develop age-related heart failure for different reasons, highlighting the need for gender-tailored treatments.
A new MRI study found that the main pumping chamber of the heart ages differently in men and women, with men's hearts becoming heavier and holding less blood. The study suggests that optimum treatment for heart failure may not be the same for women and men, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine.
Researchers have developed a method to use nanoscale diamonds to identify cancerous tumours before they become life-threatening. The technique involves attaching hyperpolarised diamonds to molecules targeting cancers, allowing for the tracking of these molecules' movement in the body.
Inserm researchers have developed a noninvasive brain imaging method using MRI that provides the same information as physical palpation, allowing for early diagnosis of brain tumors or Alzheimer's disease. The technique uses noise correlation to detect natural shear waves in the brain, enabling building images of the brain's elasticity.
Researchers at MIT are developing a computer system that uses genetic, demographic, and clinical data to predict the effects of neurodegenerative disease on brain anatomy. By combining MRI data with additional patient information, they found that predictions were improved by half in cases where changes were drastic.
A new MRI technique, DWIBS-MRM, has been shown to provide accurate results for breast cancer detection without the need for ionizing radiation or contrast agents. The technique achieved a high negative predictive value of 92% and may potentially reduce unnecessary biopsies.
Researchers have identified a potential new way to predict which patients with head and neck cancer may benefit most from chemotherapy. The use of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scans has shown that tumour blood flow can predict response to treatment, with patients having high blood flow more likely to respond.
A new imaging technique found damage to nerve tracts connecting different parts of the brain in people with high blood pressure, linked to difficulties in cognitive skills and emotional regulation. DTI provides a way to evaluate pre-symptomatic brain damage in people with high blood pressure.
Researchers at MIT and Boston Children's Hospital have developed a system that can take MRI scans of a patient's heart and convert them into a tangible, physical model. The models provide a more intuitive way for surgeons to assess individual patients' anatomical idiosyncrasies, improving surgical planning.
A study using MRI to evaluate 603 military service members with TBI found that cerebral microhemorrhages were more common among those imaged within three months post-injury. Early detection of microbleeding could provide important information regarding disease progression or recovery.
A highly detailed model of mouse brain connections may provide new insights into mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. The study used diffusion MRI scans to create a 3D digital map of the brain's circuitry, exceeding previous resolution by 1,000 times.
A new study found that brain microstructure and tissue volumes in prematurely born children can predict their math skills and working memory at school age. Researchers used neonatal MRI to identify infants at risk of low academic achievement, suggesting early intervention could reduce long-term problems.
A small left ventricle with thick walls is the strongest predictor of morphologic remodelling, a first step towards heart failure. This unexpected finding could change risk stratification among patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Researchers at OU and Mercy Hospital OKC are developing two new short-term breast cancer risk prediction approaches to increase detection of breast MRI screenings. They aim to identify high-risk women with mammography-occult cancers and reduce repeated negative MRI screenings among those with elevated risk.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered that MRI scanners can steer cell-based tumour busting therapies to specific target sites in the body. This targeted approach increases treatment efficiency and reduces drug doses, alleviating side effects.
Researchers developed a new biomarker that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect micrometastases, tiny tumor cells with the potential to develop into secondary breast cancer tumors. This approach may offer an improved way to detect early recurrence of breast cancer in women and men.
The University of Wyoming will receive a new borehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument to measure aquifer levels, enhancing its subsurface hydrology research capabilities. The Javelin device, developed by Vista Clara Inc., will visualize water storage and changes in aquifers.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that even very small brain lesions (less than 3 mm) detected by MRI triples the risk for stroke and death in asymptomatic patients. Having both small and larger lesions increases the risk to eight-fold, highlighting the importance of considering all lesion sizes in clinical practice.
Researchers have developed a method to visualize plant branching structures using MRI, gaining insights into the design of lightweight materials. The technique allows for non-invasive visualization of vascular tissues under stress, enabling optimization of branched, fibre-reinforced components in various industries.
A study highlights a significant safety concern with linear gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), which can lead to brain gadolinium deposits in patients. The researchers found that repeated use of these agents causes persistent MRI abnormalities and high total gadolinium concentrations in the deep brain, highlighting the need for ...
The hospital has successfully integrated two common imaging techniques to produce a three-dimensional anatomic model of a patient's heart. The technology combines computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with echocardiography, enabling more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
A digital map of the ageing brain could aid diagnosis by comparing patients' scans with a detailed map of the healthy ageing brain. The atlas was able to pinpoint changes in brain structure that can be an underlying sign of early Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists at the University of Chicago have successfully aligned over 99% of nuclear spins in silicon carbide, a crucial step towards developing practical spintronic devices. The breakthrough uses infrared light to cool and align spins, allowing for operation at room temperature.
A study published in NMR in Biomedicine found that brain cell density remains constant with age, contrary to previous assumptions that brain cell loss is associated with aging. The researchers used ultra-high-field MRI scans to make detailed images of the brain, revealing preserved cell density throughout the brain.
A multidisciplinary team of NYU researchers suggests that temperature changes in the tissues of the body be used as a safety metric for mobile devices operating at mmWave frequencies, rather than power density. They propose using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor thermal changes and ensure device safety.
A Johns Hopkins study analyzed Medicare claims to confirm a long-suspected link between lower rates of coordinated health care services and higher rates of unnecessary medical tests and procedures. Patients with more continuity in their medical care had a lower chance of having an overused procedure.
The hybrid scanner combines conventional MRI, hyperpolarized MRI, positron imaging, luminescence imaging, and fluorescence microscopy to provide high-resolution multimodal intra-vital imaging. This allows researchers to study tumor biology and develop targeted therapies by analyzing the co-registration of multiple imaging data lines.
Researchers have developed a cloud-based software that analyzes and standardizes PET imaging data, allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease. The program uses machine learning to compare patients' scans with normal and abnormal scans, providing consistent results and quantifying PET data accurately.
Researchers have developed three new MRI agents that successfully target the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) biomarker in multiple cancers. PSMA is found in both primary and metastatic prostate tumors, as well as in newly developing blood vessels of many non-prostate cancers.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have created a high-resolution map of the human brain stem using MRI technology, providing unprecedented detail of deep brain pathways. This new model can guide surgeons in implanting electrodes more accurately, potentially eliminating trial-and-error methods and making surgery safer.
A RAND Corporation study found that implementing CDS tools led to a small reduction in inappropriate advanced imaging studies, increasing the proportion of tests rated as appropriate. However, challenges persist due to limited criteria availability and tool limitations.
Researchers propose using tiny robots driven by magnetic potential energy from MRI scanners to treat hydrocephalus and other conditions. The robots can be steered out of the body after treatment, eliminating the need for invasive surgeries.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new multiplexing technique that accelerates nanoMRI imaging, enabling faster and more efficient scanning of nanoscale objects. The technique cuts normal scan time from two weeks to just two days.
A new blood test measures brain-specific proteins released after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to predict both imaging evidence and injury severity. The test, which uses glial fibrillary acidic protein breakdown products (GFAP-BDP), shows a net benefit in reducing unnecessary CT scans by 12-30%.
A new approach using MRI scans has been developed to improve stroke care by diagnosing patients within 60 minutes of hospital arrival. The study found that this method reduced door-to-treatment times from 93 to 55 minutes, with a significant increase in the percentage of patients treated promptly.
Two Washington-area hospitals used lean manufacturing principles to reduce door-to-needle times for stroke patients, from 93 to 55 minutes, by streamlining their processes and improving teamwork. The techniques, known as SMART, can be applied to other hospitals using CT scans, allowing more efficient use of MRI scans in acute stroke care.