Research on MRI and what it can reveal. Covers restorative-sleep imaging, new MRI agents for cancer, prostate imaging, and dementia mapping.
A new study suggests that background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on MRI scans may help tailor screening and management strategies to individual breast cancer risk. Women with elevated BPE levels were nine times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, while mammographic density showed no significant relationship.
A new study used MRI to identify how brains of young people with schizophrenia symptoms are wired differently. The research found reduced information transmission and rerouted pathways, affecting central hubs that can lead to widespread problems. This technique could provide a valuable tool for predicting future illness.
A redesigned wire system using stealth technology reduces heat generation in implanted device leads, allowing more patients to safely undergo MRI exams. This innovation expands access to state-of-the-art imaging for up to 300,000 patients worldwide.
Researchers developed a high-speed MRI technique to visualize laryngeal movement in detail. This breakthrough enables studies on the aging voice and potential interventions like vocal training.
A pioneering Oxford University study using MRI scans found that babies experience pain much like adults, with 18 of 20 brain regions active in adults also active in babies. The study suggests that infants may be more sensitive to pain than adults and highlights the need for improved pain relief guidelines.
Higher field strength improves image signal-to-noise ratio and anatomical detail for better visualization of subcutaneous fat and osseous structures. The use of stronger 3-T field strengths may allow for improved assessment of complex prenatal diseases.
Multiparametric MRI and ultrasound fusion enables targeted biopsies of high-suspicion foci with increased diagnostic accuracy for prostate cancer. For patients on active surveillance, this method better characterizes the prostate gland and detects higher-grade disease.
Researchers observed a rapid gas-filled cavity forming within the synovial fluid, causing the distinctive popping sound when cracking knuckles. The findings may lead to new research into the therapeutic benefits and harm of joint cracking, shedding light on potential long-term effects.
Researchers used MRI to observe the effects of knuckle cracking on joint cavities, finding a rapid gas-filled cavity formation. The study's findings may pave the way for new research into the potential therapeutic benefits or harms of joint cracking.
Greater variability in neural activity may reflect more flexible information processing, supporting better cognitive performance in aging adults. Researchers found that greater BOLD variability was associated with improved memory and fluid intelligence tasks.
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based screening program identified pancreatic lesions in 40% of high-risk patients, with 5 requiring surgery. The study suggests that MRI can detect cancer or premalignant lesions with good accuracy, reducing costs and increasing availability compared to more aggressive methods.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a key indicator of chronic pain in whiplash injuries: large amounts of fat in the neck muscles. This discovery enables early treatment and may help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers investigated meniscus tear healing after root repair via pullout technique. They found significant stress on the area leading to lack of biologic healing in four out of nine patients.
A new MRI technique can detect cancerous cells by identifying telltale sugar molecules shed by the outer membranes of cancerous cells. This method could potentially replace or enhance current imaging tests like mammograms and CT scans, allowing for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have found that liver MRI is more accurate than biopsy in determining total body iron balance. The study suggests that liver MRI can be a safer and less painful alternative to liver biopsy, which has high sampling variability and can cause bleeding.
A groundbreaking study by MSU doctors discovered that brain swelling is the cause of death in children with cerebral malaria. This breakthrough knowledge will help develop new treatments targeting the swelling, which may save lives by using ventilators to keep children breathing until the swelling subsides.
Researchers discovered that brain swelling is the cause of death in children with cerebral malaria, which may lead to new treatments targeting the swelling. The study's findings could help reduce mortality rates from malaria in Africa, where the disease still claims thousands of lives each year.
Researchers employ NMR spectroscopy and MRI to differentiate between two tanning methods used on ancient skins, revealing changes in chemistry and relaxation properties.
A new study published in Neurology found that physically active seniors with small areas of brain damage did not experience a drop-off in movement abilities. In fact, those who were most active showed no decline despite high levels of brain damage, suggesting physical activity creates a 'reserve' to protect motor abilities.
A new study maps distinct brain signatures for two types of extroverts: gregarious 'people-persons' and ambitious 'go-getters'. The research, published in Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience, found overlapping yet distinct signatures in the anatomy of the brain.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München developed an approach to quantify gadolinium-based contrast agents in tissue using MALDI-MS imaging, correlating it with MRI images. This combination improves diagnostic value by detecting tissue-related kinetics of contrast agents used in myocardial infarction models.
Researchers identified the anterior cingulate cortex as a key region in the teacher's brain involved in understanding students' mistakes. This finding provides insight into how teachers can guide student learning through meaningful feedback.
A DVD designed to help people prepare for an MRI scan led to a significant reduction in anxious patients and improved scan quality. The study found that the DVD helped patients feel less anxious and more confident about taking the scan, leading to more successful scans and better patient outcomes.
A study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology found that an instructional DVD reduced MRI scan patients' anxiety, leading to more successful scans with higher image quality. The DVD provided relaxation techniques to help patients prepare for and complete the scan.
Researchers found abnormal development of grey matter in Broca's area, the region responsible for speech, persisting into adulthood in children who stutter. The study used MRI imaging to examine brain development in both children and adults, finding a steady decline in cortical thickness not observed in people who stutter.
A new clinical trial is exploring the use of breast MRI and genomic testing to guide treatment decisions for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) breast cancer. The study aims to determine whether MRI findings can reduce the number of unnecessary mastectomies, a common concern among patients with DCIS.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed an MRI-based technique to detect and evaluate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children. The new method estimates liver fat content using a standardized biomarker, PDFF, which correlates well with standard liver biopsy analysis.
Research on 224 professional fighters found smaller brain volumes and slower processing speeds associated with repeated head blows. Higher Fight Exposure Scores were linked to greater cognitive impairment and mental slowing.
Advanced medical imaging increases diagnostic confidence and facilitates rapid diagnoses, leading to better clinical decisions. Primary care physicians perceive imaging as crucial for quality patient care, particularly for sicker patients.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered previously unrecognized differences in the brains of patients with bipolar disorder using a novel MRI imaging approach. The study found elevated signal in cerebral white matter and cerebellar region of patients, suggesting abnormal cell metabolism may play a role in the disorder.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive MRI approach that can detect Alzheimer's disease in its earliest stages, identifying toxic amyloid beta brain toxins. The technique has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which affects one out of nine people over 65.
A study of 219 MS patients found that only 46% maintained no-evidence-of-disease-activity for clinical and MRI measures at one year, decreasing to 27.5% at two years and 7.9% after seven years.
A study of US emergency departments found that supervised visits involving resident and attending physicians were linked to a greater likelihood of hospital admission and longer ED stays. Supervised visits also resulted in increased use of advanced imaging, whereas blood testing rates were similar.
A new study suggests that changes in brain connections visible on MRI could represent an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers analyzed 102 patients and found a strong association between increased beta amyloid plaque and decreased white matter strength.
Researchers identified specific circuits in the brain where memories are generated, using a precision MRI technique that tracked information flow within the brain. The study aims to gain new insights into how Alzheimer's disease affects the brain and memory processing.
Candès will be awarded the 2015 AMS-SIAM George David Birkhoff Prize for his groundbreaking work on compressed sensing, a mathematical technique that has revolutionized signal processing and medical imaging. His research has led to dramatic advances in data collection and analysis, with applications in MRI machines and digital cameras.
Researchers found a significant association between atherosclerosis and mild cognitive impairment in a study of nearly 2,000 adults. The study used MRI and CT imaging techniques to measure plaque buildup in arteries and brain health.
A new MRI diagnostic approach has identified significant damage to the blood-brain barrier of professional football players following unreported trauma or mild concussions. The study showed that 40% of examined football players with unreported concussions had evidence of 'leaky BBB' compared to 8.3% of control athletes.
New nanoparticles can perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescent imaging simultaneously, allowing for the tracking of specific molecules produced in the body. The particles were demonstrated to detect vitamin C in mice, showing strong fluorescent signals where vitamin C is present but little MRI contrast.
Scientists have pinpointed a novel role of FMRP in the embryonic development of the brain cortex, leading to delays in proper formation and affecting postnatal life and brain connectivity. The study may provide insights into cellular mechanisms affected in patients with Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers have rediscovered a large fiber pathway in the brain that was previously unknown, despite being visible in dozens of MRI scans. The vertical occipital fasciculus plays a role in visual processing and perception, and an algorithm has been developed to identify and measure its properties.
Dr. Peter Barrance will study the effects of in-shoe orthoses on individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee using weight-bearing MRI technology. The goal is to refine footwear modifications and reduce pain and mobility limitations associated with knee osteoarthritis.
Researchers from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the National Institutes of Health provide a wealth of patient imaging data to build tools for diagnosing coronary heart disease. The publication includes a virtual machine with software and data, enabling direct experimentation and annotation.
Chronic marijuana users have smaller brain volume in the orbitofrontal cortex but increased brain connectivity. The study found that earlier onset of regular marijuana use induces greater structural and functional connectivity.
Scientists have measured high-quality factors of up to 5 million in carbon nanotube mechanical resonators, outperforming previous records. This breakthrough enables the development of ultra-sensitive sensors and quantum systems, such as magnetic resonance imaging at the atomic level.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a new online tool to study postnatal brain growth in human infants based on similarities with the piglet brain. The tool, an MRI-based brain atlas for four-week-old piglets, offers a three-dimensional averaged brain and anatomical regions of interest.
Researchers have found structural abnormalities in the brains of people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a debilitating disease affecting over 1 million adults and children. The study suggests that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help diagnose and track CFS, using specific biomarkers to measure brain structure and function.
The researchers have developed a novel measurement technique for MRI signals using a diamond sensor chip, detecting the signal from a single hydrogen atom and achieving an accuracy of better than one angstrom. This breakthrough brings them closer to imaging at the level of single molecules, with potential applications in structural bio...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a robotic device that can treat severe epilepsy with a minimally invasive procedure. The system uses a shape-memory alloy needle steered by a robotic platform to destroy the area where seizures originate, avoiding drilling through the skull.
A new study published in Radiology found that teenage baseball pitchers who throw more than 100 pitches per week are at risk for acromial apophysiolysis, a condition characterized by incomplete fusion and tenderness at the acromion. The study also found that these pitchers are more likely to develop rotator cuff tears later in life.
A new MRI technique called arterial spin labeling (ASL) can detect signs of cognitive decline in the brain even before symptoms appear. The technique measures brain perfusion and has the potential to serve as a biomarker for very early diagnosis of preclinical dementia.
Scientists have developed a new generation of hyperpolarizing agents that can be used to dramatically enhance the signal intensity of imaged body tissues without presenting any danger to the patient. The HYPSOs are made from a fine, white, porous powder containing tracking molecules, which act as markers for imaging.
A study found that patients and healthcare professionals are willing to accept high rates of false-positives in cancer screening tests in exchange for increased diagnostic sensitivity. This means they are more likely to undergo unnecessary testing, such as radiologic or invasive follow-up tests, than accurate but inconclusive results.
Research by Bruce Beynnon and colleagues found that the size of the femoral notch and ACL volume increase the risk of noncontact ACL injuries. Female college athletes are two times more at risk than males, with soccer and rugby participants showing significantly greater injury risks. Targeting interventions for these high-risk athletes...
A new technique uses perfluorocarbon tracers in combination with MRI to track therapeutic immune cells injected into patients with colorectal cancer. The study found that only half of the delivered cell vaccine remained at the inoculation site after 24 hours, but the technology shows promise for tracking other cell types and diseases.
A novel robotic system is being tested to determine if it can make prostate cancer biopsies faster, more accurate, less costly, and less discomforting for patients. The robot uses real-time MRI images to guide the insertion of needles, potentially delivering therapies with greater precision.
A new MRI technique using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can help clinicians predict the likelihood of poor clinical outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury. This technique shows significant differences in white matter between mTBI patients with positive versus negative findings on CT and MRI evaluation.
Recent EORTC Imaging Group review highlights MRI and PET's potential for early detection of bone metastases and monitoring treatment response. The study emphasizes the need to overcome current limitations, such as those related to imaging techniques' sensitivity and specificity.
Researchers have developed an electronic skin device that can detect and image small lumps in the breast, allowing for earlier identification of breast cancer. The device has been tested on a silicone breast model and shown to be highly accurate, with a potential survival rate increase of over 94%.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has announced the 2014-2016 Wagner-Torizuka Fellowship recipients, which provide two-year fellowships to support Japanese physicians in early stages of their careers. The fellows focus on functional imaging using modalities such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT to elucidate pathophysiology of...