Research on MRI and what it can reveal. Covers restorative-sleep imaging, new MRI agents for cancer, prostate imaging, and dementia mapping.
A study found that breast MRI altered surgical management in 36% of patients, changing the plan from lumpectomy to mastectomy or increasing tissue removal. The change was beneficial in 22 cases, suggesting breast MRI may play a role in staging newly diagnosed breast cancers.
A new NIH study is tracking the brain and behavioral development of over 500 healthy American children from birth to age 18. The study found that children approach adult levels of performance on many basic cognitive and motor skills by age 11 or 12, but there were no dramatic increases in cognitive growth during adolescence.
A University of Arizona scientist is conducting a 5-year study to map the brain's role in language, attention, and memory. The researcher uses MRI scans to reveal complex interactions between brain regions involved in these processes.
Michael Weiner, a pioneering brain imaging researcher at San Francisco VA Medical Center, has received the 2006 William S. Middleton Award for his outstanding achievements in biomedical research. The award recognizes his contributions to clinical magnetic resonance imaging and his leadership in nationwide clinical trials.
Researchers analyzed post-mortem brain slices using 3T and 7T MRI, revealing 7T's ability to detect more MS lesions. This advancement can delay disease conversion and improve monitoring of neurological deficits in multiple sclerosis patients.
A recent study using MRI found that 88% of patients with knee osteoarthrosis exhibit abnormalities in the lateral collateral ligament complex. The study also identified a significant association between lateral compartment osteoarthrosis and fibular collateral ligament abnormalities.
A recent study found that MRI and MRS correctly staged 12 out of 16 patients with prostate cancer, enabling surgeons to plan wide resection of the neurovascular bundle. This improved accuracy helps ensure negative surgical margins and effective operations.
A recent study found that CT and MRI are highly accurate in determining optimal candidates for liver transplantation in patients with cirrhosis. The study demonstrated agreement between radiology and pathology staging in 96.5-97.5% of patients, supporting the use of imaging tools in candidate selection.
A study of 232 older adults found a positive association between high calcium and vitamin D intake and increased brain lesion volume, which can lead to cognitive decline, depression, and stroke. The researchers controlled for age, hypertension, and other factors but found no influence on the relationship.
Researchers at UCLA used a novel brain imaging technique to show that lithium increases gray matter in the brains of people with bipolar disorder, particularly in areas critical for attention and emotional control. The findings suggest that existing gray matter in these regions may be underused or dysfunctional.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a motor that can safely power remote-controlled robotic medical devices for cancer biopsies and therapies guided by magnetic resonance imaging. The motor, dubbed PneuStep, is made entirely out of plastics, ceramics, and rubber and is driven by light and air.
A combined imaging approach that combines standard MRI scans with specialized contrast-enhanced techniques may provide more effective diagnoses in patients with difficult-to-detect blood clots in veins of the brain. This approach could lead to better understanding of the disease process and potentially alter treatment regimens.
A multi-center study found that MRI screening detected cancer in the opposite breast in 30% of women with recent breast cancer diagnosis. The cancers were missed by previous mammography and clinical exam. The authors recommend MRI screening for high-risk populations, but emphasize its expense and limited ability to detect calcifications.
A major clinical trial shows that MRI scans can quickly identify cancer in the opposite breast of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast. The study found a 90% accuracy rate for detecting contralateral breast cancers.
An international study by the University of Bonn found that MRI can detect up to 30 cancers in the opposite breast of women with recent unilateral breast cancer diagnoses. The study's results show a 99.6% confidence level that no breast cancer is present if an MRI scan is normal, making preventive mastectomy unnecessary.
A new synthetic molecule has been developed to deliver an imaging enhancer to cholesterol-filled cells, improving detection by 79 percent. The technique allows physicians to diagnose unstable plaques and identify high-risk patients for early treatment.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that can label and track stem cells used in medical treatments, offering a new way to monitor tumors and diagnose cardiovascular problems. The technology uses MRI scanning to detect the presence of labeled cells, allowing for more accurate measurements and better understanding of each cell type's role.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed a new technique for noninvasively tracking cells in the body using genetically encoded cells producing natural contrast visible via MRI. The method appears more effective than existing methods for detecting injected biomaterials, and offers high-resolution imaging without tissue removal.
Research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea patients with moderate to severe disease are at higher risk for stroke due to silent brain infarction lesions. The use of continuous positive airway pressure therapy has been shown to lower markers of platelet activation and reduce the incidence of subsequent ischemic brain lesions.
Functional connectivity MRI studies revealed that lower brain connectivity regions correlate with impaired visual field perception in neglected stroke patients. The study provides new insights into the neurological details of spatial neglect, highlighting the value of MRI in studying behavioral symptoms.
A new study uses MRI to measure intra-abdominal fat, a type of fat that can predispose children to adult diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The study found strong correlations between single-slice MRI measurements and clinical measures, suggesting that this method could be useful in monitoring adolescents at risk.
Professor Sarah Codd's research uses magnetic resonance microscopy to study fuel cells, medical catheters, and contaminated soil and water. The NSF Career Award will support her work in advancing the technique and educating engineers about its applications.
Researchers have discovered unique properties in a molecular magnet that could significantly increase the resolution of MRIs, leading to more accurate diagnoses. The new material, Fe8, is non-toxic and water-soluble, making it safe for injection into the body.
A recent study found that the extent of brain tissue loss and lesion load at diagnosis can predict the rate of brain atrophy over two years in MS patients. Baseline MRI variables, including brain volume and T2 lesions, are associated with subsequent brain volume change.
Researchers at NIST create molecular nanomagnets that offer consistent design and high contrast, improving MRI imaging. The new agents can be turned on only when bonded to a target molecule or cell, with no toxicity issues.
A recent study using MRI found that 26% of vaginally delivered babies had small bleeds in and around the brain. The bleeds were likely caused by pressure on the skull during delivery. Most bleeds resolve over time without issues, but larger ones may cause problems later in childhood.
A recent NIH study found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive than computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing acute ischemic stroke, the most common form of stroke. This can lead to better diagnosis and treatment for patients, with potential benefits including reduced misdiagnosis and improved patient outcomes.
A recent study found that MRI is more sensitive and reliable for detecting acute stroke than CT, with a sensitivity of 83% compared to CT's 26%. This suggests that MRI should be the preferred test for accurate diagnosis in clinical practice.
A possible association has been found between a popular MRI contrast agent and the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with kidney disease. The study recommends avoiding gadodiamide in patients with any degree of renal disease due to the vast majority of NSF cases being associated with its use.
Researchers used MRI to detect macrophages in arterial walls, which indicate inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The study found a 79% increase in detection compared to baseline images, suggesting a potential noninvasive screening tool for heart attack risk.
Researchers developed Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Microscopy, a novel technique that produces crisp three-dimensional images from out-of-focus data. This method can perform high-speed, micron-scale imaging without time-consuming processing or sectioning of tissue.
Mayo Clinic researchers use advanced MRI to predict surgical success in rare sciatic notch dumbbell-shaped tumors. The 3-Tesla MRI system provides detailed images of tumor and nerve relationships, allowing for safe removal of tumors while protecting nerves.
A new study found that MRI changed treatment plans for 35% of patients with ankle pain, reducing potential diagnoses from 2.3 to 1.2. The imaging modality increased referring physicians' confidence in their diagnoses by 66%, improving patient outcomes.
A recent study found that patients with recurrent silent brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had a higher risk of subsequent ischemic strokes and vascular-related deaths. The study, published in Archives of Neurology, suggests that MRI may depict pathological changes before the development of clinical stroke symptoms.
Researchers develop a 3D model of a child's heart using MRI scans to simulate blood flow and optimize surgical procedures for complex congenital heart defects. The system aims to improve quality of life for children with single-ventricle hearts by reducing the need for multiple surgeries.
Researchers used MRI to show that a 90-degree sitting position causes more strain on the spine than an optimal 135-degree posture. This finding could help prevent back pain by advising patients to correct their sitting posture.
A recent study using MRI found that older marathon runners have a higher left ventricular mass, indicating cardiovascular disease despite no symptoms or known history of heart issues. This suggests that pre-training screening for advanced-age runners may not be effective in detecting early life-threatening cardiovascular disease.
Whole-heart MRI technology has advanced to detect heart disease more effectively, reducing motion blurring and improving image quality. The study found that the technique was accurate in detecting significant narrowing of coronary arteries in 87% of patients.
Researchers used MRI to detect small areas of heart damage in patients with sarcoidosis, finding that it was twice as sensitive as conventional methods. The study suggests that cardiac damage is common and often unrecognized in these patients, which can lead to serious complications.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital use MRI to track muscle damage from radiation therapy in children with soft tissue cancer. The study reveals that changes in muscle images can predict the amount of long-term damage that radiation may cause, enabling clinicians to design better treatment plans.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center use MRI to capture images of the retina's elusive layers, revealing layer-specific changes in retinitis pigmentosa. This breakthrough technology has potential for early diagnosis and treatment of serious eye diseases.
A new study uses MRI techniques to discriminate between patients who will benefit from clot-dissolving drugs and those who may be harmed. The technique helps doctors make informed decisions about treatment timing, potentially improving patient outcomes.
A new software program developed by UCLA radiologists and Siemens Medical Solutions allows experts to operate MRI machines remotely via the Internet. The quality of remote scans was found to be superior to onsite scans performed by less experienced technologists, offering options for regions with limited medical staff and expertise.
Researchers have developed a remote-control mechanism for controlling an MRI machine via the internet, resulting in superior image quality compared to traditional onsite scanning. This technology enables specialized skills in MRI to be implemented remotely, improving patient care and accessibility.
Researchers developed a new technique called HYPER-CEST for Magnetic Resonance Imaging that can detect molecules at lower concentrations, enabling better medical diagnosis and treatment. This method uses hyperpolarized xenon signals to generate highly selective contrast and provides both spatial and biochemical information.
The University of Minnesota's Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) has received a $7.9 million NIH grant to expand its neuroscience research capabilities. The grant will enable more university researchers to access the center's state-of-the-art magnetic resonance equipment and methodology.
The study on MRI and CT imaging technology will investigate the relationships between availability, usage, patient outcomes, and health care spending. The device development study will document the regulatory and commercialization processes for new medical technologies.
A study found that maternal infection during pregnancy and very preterm birth are associated with an increased risk of cerebral palsy. Brain MRI scans also revealed white-matter damage as the most common finding in children with cerebral palsy, with strong correlations between clinical findings and brain scan results.
A four-year project aims to dramatically improve scanning for serious illnesses by enhancing electron spin resonance imaging techniques. The technology could provide 10,000 times more spatial information, recording images 10,000 times faster, and improve sensitivity by 100 times or more.
A new analysis technique identifies cellular damage in the brain, allowing for earlier diagnosis and intervention of Alzheimer's disease. The study found increased water content in white-matter areas and brain atrophy in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that more people with AIDS died from common causes in 2004 compared to 1999. A survey of gay men revealed a significant gap between self-identified straight men who have sex with men and their actual behavior.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital successfully tracked transplanted pancreatic islets using MRI, revealing complex factors behind islet loss and potential causes of rejection. The study could lead to improved outcomes for patients with type 1 diabetes.
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed MR Elastography (MRE), a new technique for measuring liver elasticity using MRI. This non-invasive method shows great promise for detecting liver fibrosis, which can lead to cirrhosis if left untreated.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a novel laser-based MRI technique that offers enhanced sensitivity and time resolution. The approach uses atomic magnetometry and separates signal encoding and detection steps, enabling optimized sensitivity and reducing costs.
A new study shows MRI is better than MDCT for determining breast cancer's intraductal component, allowing surgeons to achieve a cancer-free surgical margin. MRI correctly identified 33 of 44 cases with an intraductal component, outperforming MDCT in sensitivity and underestimation accuracy.
Researchers at Penn's Department of Radiology will utilize a new 7 Tesla whole-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system for high-field imaging. The ultra-high field magnet will improve sensitivity, speed, and image resolution, enabling detection of disease in ways never seen before.
Researchers used MRI scans to identify white matter and gray matter abnormalities in pre-term infants' brains, predicting risk of cognitive delays, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental challenges. The study found that nearly half of children born prematurely suffer some form of developmental delay.
The NIH is providing funding for cutting-edge research equipment to advance biomedical research and increase knowledge of the underlying causes of human disease. High-end instruments supported include supercomputers, nuclear mass resonance spectrometers, magnetic resonance imaging systems, and cryo-electron microscopes.
A new MRI data-acquisition technique developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison enables clinics to image more patients with osteoarthritis-related knee problems in a shorter time. The technique delivers precise 3D images, allowing for better diagnosis and treatment options.
A study found that obesity significantly impacts diagnostic imaging quality and diagnosis, leading to misdiagnosis or failed diagnoses. The impact is particularly pronounced on exams requiring radiation exposure, such as CT scans and x-rays.