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 using MRI scans has found that the drug donepezil slows brain deterioration in patients with mild cognitive impairment, a condition on the road to Alzheimer's disease. The treatment showed a positive effect on patients who carried the APOE 4 allele, which increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Researchers developed a new imaging technique using stress first-pass perfusion MRI with delayed contrast-enhancement, demonstrating an accuracy of 88 percent in detecting coronary artery disease. The non-invasive method can potentially replace traditional angiography and guide clinical decision-making.
Researchers detected subtle changes in left ventricle walls using MRI tagging, showing an association between atherosclerosis and reduced heart pumping function. The study found early signs of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries related to fine changes in heart contraction.
Researchers from NYU's Department of Chemistry and the Department of Radiology have successfully decorated virus particles with gadolinium chelates, resulting in a very intense signal in clinical MRI scans. This study validates hypotheses on the effect of particle size on MRI contrast agent effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System developed a new test for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using MR spectroscopy, a technique from the 1970s. The test measures phosphocreatine recovery time in leg muscles after exercise, indicating PAD severity and potential complications.
Using MR spectroscopy improves the detection of malignant breast lesions, reducing the need for biopsy procedures. The technology helps identify tumors with elevated choline compounds, which are a marker of an active tumor, and eliminates the need for biopsies to determine their composition.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a new approach that tracks helium gas molecules in lungs to detect micro-structural changes in smokers. The technique has shown promise in identifying structural changes in asymptomatic smokers and may help screen for genetic predispositions to conditions like emphysema.
Researchers developed a new MRI technique using hyperpolarized helium to detect early signs of emphysema in asymptomatic smokers. The technology shows promise for early disease detection, surgical planning, and monitoring patient response to treatments without radiation exposure.
The WPI team will use computational modeling, MRI scans, and histological studies to develop a detailed picture of plaque formation and rupture. This research aims to create better diagnostic tools for physicians to assess the risk of arterial plaques and choose effective treatments.
A study found that breast MRI screening can be cost-effective for BRCA1 mutation carriers, particularly when mammography is insensitive. Adding annual MRI from ages 35-54 is cost-effective among all BRCA1 carriers and those with high-risk due to aggressive cancer types
Research suggests that initiating MS therapy with an immunomodulating drug as soon as possible following a diagnosis can significantly reduce future disease activity and progression of disability. Studies have shown that delaying treatment is associated with more progression of disability and larger volumes of disease damage.
Researchers have developed a new integrated system that combines MRI and NIR imaging to quantify hemoglobin, water, and scattering values in breast tissue. This technique may help detect early tumor growth and characterize tumor stage by learning about its vascular and cellular makeup.
Researchers developed an MRI technique to measure cysts and kidneys in individuals with autosomal dominant PKD. The study found that both small and large cysts grew at steady rates, correlating with losses in kidney function.
Researchers at UI Hospitals and Clinics discovered a fundamental problem in predicting case durations for diagnostic scans under anesthesia. By analyzing experts' estimates, they implemented a solution that significantly improved accuracy and reduced pre-anesthesia fasting times for young patients.
A study found that lobular breast cancer (ILC) and ductal breast cancer (IDC) have similar success rates for breast-conserving therapy. ILC patients had larger tumors, but the success rate did not differ between groups.
A recent study using diffusion tensor imaging found no significant differences in brain integrity and volume between cannabis smokers and non-smokers. The findings suggest that moderate cannabis use may not have a direct impact on brain structure and integrity, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
The University of Washington has licensed its innovative cardiovascular software, CASCADE, to VPDiagnostics. The technology helps clinicians identify 'vulnerable' plaque, which is linked to heart attack and stroke, providing a powerful tool for researchers to study atherosclerosis.
A recent study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that higher strength MRI can detect shoulder cartilage tears with high accuracy, allowing doctors to diagnose and treat the condition without surgery. This non-invasive approach has significant benefits for patients, especially athletes who are prone to such injuries.
A study analyzed MRIs of 24 patients with ischemic stroke to identify signs at increased risk for skull hemorrhaging. The researchers found that patients with parenchymal enhancement or hyperintense MCA sign may be at higher risk for developing hemorrhagic complications after tPA treatment.
Researchers used gold beads to visualize slow phenomena in the eye, such as growth and fast eye movement. The study showed that three-quarters of the implanted beads remained stable over six months.
Researchers at NYU and Austria have developed a non-invasive imaging technique using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) that eliminates the need for external radiofrequency irradiation. This allows for lower energy deposition, enabling new applications in magnetic resonance microscopy.
Researchers have identified two patterns of cognitive impairment in people with AIDS, differing in severity and brain region affected. The study found that while severe dementia has decreased, a milder form of impairment has increased, warranting further investigation into its mechanisms and potential treatments.
A new MRI study found a nearly perfect correlation between iron levels in brain regions and those reported by past post-mortem studies. The study suggests that age-related brain iron accumulation is a modifiable risk factor for degenerative brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.
A study by Dr. Ivan Pedrosa and colleagues demonstrates MRI as a viable alternative to CT scans for diagnosing appendicitis in pregnant women, sparing them from radiation exposure. The study evaluated 51 pregnant women with abdominal pain using MRI, revealing four cases of acute appendicitis, two of which were not detected via ultrasound.
Researchers at McGill University have developed advanced MRI methods to improve detection of brain lesions in epilepsy patients. These new techniques reduce complexity and cost of pre-surgical evaluation, paving the way for more surgical treatment options.
A study published in Annals of Neurology found that brain scans can predict cognitive decline in normal older people, with lower glucose metabolism detected in the parietal and temporal lobes. The scans also predicted declines on memory tests, such as the DelRec test, suggesting a potential link to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers detected lower gray matter density in brains of patients with Type 1 diabetes, associated with poorer glycemic control and depression. The study opens up new approaches to understanding the central nervous system in diabetes.
Research suggests that chronic drinking and smoking both lead to significant brain structural abnormalities, including reduced gray matter and neuronal injury. Chronic smoking may also hinder recovery during abstinence from alcohol, leading to impaired cognitive function.
Researchers use MRI to visualize individual immune cells in live animals, enabling real-time tracking of organ rejection. The new approach offers personalized care and reduces biopsy procedures.
Researchers at UT Southwestern found that MRI offers more detailed views and specific information on cochlear implants than CT scans. This enables surgeons to determine the best surgical technique, electrode arrays, and ear placement for each patient.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new technique to image brain deformation after impact, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study shows that the brain tries to pull away from attachments, leading to significant deformation of the front of the brain.
Researchers found significant brain volume enlargement in children with autism, particularly in white and gray matter, which affects the cerebral cortex responsible for thought, perception, and memory. The study suggests that this enlargement may begin as late as the first year of life, during the postnatal period.
A study of 101 MRI knee exams found a remarkable high incidence of lateral meniscal tears among elite football players, which may be related to the physical demands of tackling. The research also identified an indirect sign of syndesmotic tear, also known as high ankle sprain, using MRI and x-rays.
A study by SCCA physicians found that computer-aided evaluation can significantly assist radiologists in accurately interpreting breast MRI studies, improving sensitivity and specificity. The use of CAE resulted in reduced false positive rates and improved accuracy in detecting malignant lesions.
Researchers used MRI to study canine cranial nerves, enabling earlier disease recognition and imaging of nerve nuclei. The study sheds light on the challenges of identifying small nerves using conventional imaging modalities.
A study of 24 patients found that MRI with an endorectal coil at 1.5T outperforms conventional body coils in staging prostate cancer. The results suggest a need for advances in coil technology to improve imaging at higher field strengths.
A new technique successfully tracks the location of injected cells in cancer patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and iron oxide particles. The study showed that injection accuracy is critical, but not perfect, and that MRI provides an accurate way to track cells' final resting place.
The new criteria allow for an earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis with minimal loss of diagnostic accuracy. The revised guidelines also reduce the number of MRI scans required to evaluate disease progression, making it a powerful tool for diagnosing MS and excluding alternative diagnoses.
Researchers at Penn have developed a new method using high-dimensional shape transformations to identify unique structural brain characteristics in schizophrenia patients. The study demonstrates the potential for early detection and prevention of the disease through MRI analysis.
Researchers developed a functional diffusion map that tracks water movement in the brain, predicting tumor response to treatment. This non-invasive method identifies patients who will benefit from second-line therapy and those whose tumors are not responding, allowing for targeted radiation doses.
A study found that moderate exercise can improve knee cartilage strength and elasticity, reducing the progression of osteoarthritis. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce knee pain and stiffness, as well as improve functional performance tests.
Researchers have developed a nanoparticle that can identify brain tumor cells and selectively target them for radiation therapy. The particles, called functional metallofullerenes, have shown promise in preliminary experiments and may one day benefit patients with advanced brain tumors.
For patients with early-stage breast cancer, MRI improves treatment selection by identifying additional cancer in the breast that may require wider removal of tissue or mastectomy. Breast MRI can help radiation oncologists identify suitable candidates for accelerated partial breast irradiation.
A new study published in Neurobiology of Aging reveals that a computer analysis of the EEG can accurately predict healthy individuals in their 60s and 70s who will develop dementia over the next 7-10 years. The test was found to be almost 95% accurate in identifying those at risk of cognitive decline.
The new imaging technique enables rapid acquisition of three planes, reducing examination time to 12 minutes compared to the standard method. Fetal MRI is being increasingly performed due to its excellent view of brain tissue and lack of radiation, usually done when ultrasound is inconclusive.
William Edelstein's contributions to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) led to the commercialization of high-resolution imaging technology. His work on the Spin Warp method and other innovations improved image quality and reduced noise, making MRI systems clinically useful.
A study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that 3D MRI can detect pancreatic cancer in patients with severe mid-abdominal pain and other symptoms. The study suggests that radiologists should look for pancreatic cancer even if the patient didn't have an examination for that purpose.
A recent MRI study has mapped 'silent' heart changes that remodel the heart, linking specific regional changes to early signs of trouble in the left ventricle. The study found that pumping function deteriorates as hearts increasingly change shape or remodel.
Researchers developed a novel MRI strategy to visualize inflammatory lesions in the pancreas that cause type-1 diabetes. This new approach provides preclinical data on mouse models, guiding the application of an in vivo MRI technique to patients with autoimmune diabetes.
MRI cardiac catheterization provides a detailed three-dimensional picture of the heart, enabling interventional cardiologists to see blood vessels inside and out. This technology is already being used to diagnose congenital heart disease in children and has the potential to replace traditional diagnostic catheterization procedures.
Researchers create gadonanotubes by encasing gadolinium in carbon nanotubes, significantly reducing toxicity while boosting effectiveness. The new agents show promising results in tests at Rice, Houston, and Swiss laboratories.
Researchers used diffusion MRI to measure water movement in treated fibroids, showing significant signal intensity and ADC values. This non-invasive technique may improve monitoring of ultrasound treatment success and be useful for other focused ultrasound treatments.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that MRI is more comprehensive than SPECT in assessing heart damage in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. MRI was able to detect small areas of heart damage and provide important data on cardiac function, whereas SPECT only became relevant if no abnormaliti...
MDCT arthrography outperforms MRI in detecting cartilage problems, offering better 3D evaluation and tissue contrast. The study suggests MDCT arthrography as a prominent method for imaging patients with hip dysplasia.
A new contrast agent enables quicker and more thorough MRI screenings for potential living liver donors. The study found that this agent can image the liver, bile duct, and vessels simultaneously, reducing the need for separate examinations.
A study found that Lorenzo's oil therapy can prevent MRI abnormalities and neurological symptoms in patients with asymptomatic ALD. The treatment reduced saturated very long-chain fatty acid levels, which may protect against inflammatory cerebral disease.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that contrast-enhanced MRI is more accurate than FDG-PET in detecting liver tumors, especially for smaller lesions. The study analyzed 79 liver tumors and showed an accuracy rate of 75.5% for MRI versus 64.1% for PET.
Researchers used a non-invasive MRI technique to distinguish between Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The study successfully differentiated between the two conditions using arterial spin labeling, which measures blood flow in the brain.
A study of 58 breast cancer patients found that initial tumor volume and changes in tumor volume during chemotherapy are strong predictors of recurrence-free survival. MRI measurements can help tailor treatment strategies for individual patients.
A Mayo Clinic case series reveals a link between long-term welding and neurological impairment, including Parkinsonian syndrome, multifocal myoclonus, vestibular-auditory dysfunction, and mild cognitive impairment. The study emphasizes the importance of adequate fume protective measures to prevent damage from manganese exposure.