Research on MRI and what it can reveal. Covers restorative-sleep imaging, new MRI agents for cancer, prostate imaging, and dementia mapping.
The Mayo Clinic researchers have invented a nontoxic molecular probe that targets the brain regions containing amyloid plaques, enabling high-resolution MRI images in live mice and potentially human patients. The probe may also be used to evaluate new Alzheimer's therapies and provide early diagnosis.
Luna Innovations plans to manufacture Trimetaspheres, soccerball-shaped molecules with enhanced MRI imaging capabilities. The company's ATP project enabled cost-effective production of nanomaterials with potential uses in consumer and military products.
USC researchers have developed a new technique using real-time MRI to capture the intricacies of human speech. The innovation allows for high-resolution movies of the vocal system, enabling better understanding of sound overlap in spoken language.
A new MRI technique allows researchers to capture moving images of blood traveling through vessels non-invasively. This technology can easily be applied to existing MRI machines, enabling real-time physician-scanner interaction and detailed analysis of cardiovascular disease.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends early neuroimaging tests to diagnose cerebral palsy. This helps parents and physicians understand the disorder's cause and create effective treatment plans. The guidelines also suggest screening for related disorders, such as mental retardation and speech disorders.
The Pittsburgh NMR Center is developing novel non-invasive MRI methods to monitor organ function and detect allograft rejection. Researchers are also exploring magnetic resonance microscopy to track autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new MRI technique called remote detection, which separates NMR encoding and detection to optimize both. This separation enables orders-of-magnitude improvement in image resolution and manifold increases in sensitivity.
A study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that gadolinium-enhanced MRI (G-MRI) was highly accurate in diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children, with 92% accuracy for ulcerative colitis and 96% accuracy for Crohn's disease. This non-invasive diagnostic tool could replace conventional tests like colonoscopy.
A new imaging technique uses MRI and spectroscopy to analyze choline levels in tumors, accurately identifying malignant carcinomas in 8 out of 8 cases. The study suggests MRSI may aid physicians in diagnosing breast cancer and could potentially replace biopsy in certain cases.
Researchers found adolescents exhibit lower activation in brain regions motivating behavior toward rewards, but similar responses to obtaining gains. The study resolves debates about adolescent reward processing and may explain why many young people struggle with long-term goals.
A new study presents promising results for acute stroke treatment using desmoteplase, a genetically engineered blood clot-dissolving protein. MRI techniques also play a crucial role in identifying patients who can benefit from this therapy.
Researchers found that whole-body PET/CT scans were accurate in determining tumor stage for 75% of patients, compared to 54% with whole-body MRI. The study concluded that FDG-PET/CT can be recommended as a first-line tool for whole-body tumor staging of different oncological diseases.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a multiparametric MRI technique combining T1, T2, and 3D imaging with contrast agents to improve breast cancer detection. The study successfully identified benign and malignant tissue clusters in all 36 patients, revealing the effectiveness of the combined approach.
Researchers found that low to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreases in brain size, but does not lower stroke risk. The study involved 1,909 men and women aged 55+, and used MRI scans to measure brain changes linked to increased stroke risk.
A study using MRI technology found significantly higher levels of excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and lower levels of inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the frontal region of children with ADHD. This imbalance may contribute to poor impulse control and other behavioral issues associated with the condition.
A new study found that moderate alcohol intake may promote brain atrophy, which can lead to lower cognition and reduced extremity function. The research, published by the American Heart Association, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess brain abnormalities in middle-aged adults.
Researchers found that a three-minute head scan is comparable to the traditional 20-minute version in terms of image quality and diagnostic results. The new protocol eliminated complications from patient movement, resulting in better image quality and accurate blockage identification for clot-busting drugs.
Researchers used MRI to study 45 healthy elderly patients and found that progressive brain atrophy was predictive of future cognitive decline. The medial temporal lobe, a small but critical brain region, showed the most significant correlation with memory loss.
Researchers at NYU School of Medicine developed a new technique to measure brain volume, identifying healthy individuals who would later develop memory impairment. The study found that the medial-temporal lobe shrank considerably more in people with Alzheimer's disease compared to those without it.
Researchers developed a magnetic resonance spectroscopy method to quantify choline levels in breast tissue, distinguishing malignant lesions from benign lumps. The technique uses high magnetic fields and mathematical approach to account for tissue variations.
A study at Duke University Medical Center found cardiac MRI can detect viable but damaged heart muscle, allowing for targeted treatment and improved outcomes. Researchers used cardiac MRI to visualize the beating heart, identifying areas of thinned muscle that could be saved with revascularization therapy.
Researchers are evaluating the effects of CRESTOR on atherosclerosis using cutting-edge imaging technologies like IVUS and MRI. The goal is to slow or even reverse the progression of this silent killer disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
A new study suggests that advanced MRI scans can diagnose multiple sclerosis more quickly and accurately than traditional methods. The technology uses sophisticated imaging to detect white matter abnormalities in the brain, providing doctors with definitive evidence of injuries over time.
The American Academy of Neurology has introduced a new guideline that suggests MRI scans can be used to predict the development of multiple sclerosis in individuals who have had a single occurrence of MS symptoms. This allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, which can help reduce disease activity and severity.
Studies found that patients with vascular dementia had less NAA in regions involved in short-term memory and language, while those with Alzheimer's had substantial NAA deficits. Accuracy improved when combining MRI and MR spectroscopy measures, suggesting potential for recovery through drug treatment.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center have developed a new MRI technique using manganese-enhanced imaging to study the neural circuitry of aggression in crayfish. This breakthrough enables scientists to analyze entire patterns of brain activation, providing insights into complex social behaviors.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that rapid MRI did not improve clinical outcomes or save money for patients with low back pain. In fact, it may increase costs due to an increased risk of surgical interventions.
A study of 54 BRCA-positive women found that MRI improved sensitivity in detecting breast cancer, but a significant number had abnormal exams that were later determined not to be cancerous. No woman developed cancer within 12 months of a normal MRI exam.
Researchers found 50% more sodium in malignant lesions than normal brain tissue, indicating increased tumor malignancy. The technique improves identification of cancer cells through noninvasive analysis of tumor metabolism and physiology.
Dr. Alan Wilman is developing a new MRI technique that provides highly detailed images of blood vessels, allowing doctors to diagnose conditions like heart attacks and strokes earlier. His goal is to create a safer and cheaper alternative that can help prevent deaths by aiding in early diagnosis.
A new imaging technique combining transesophageal magnetic resonance (TE MRI) with standard cardiac MRI provides better views of plaque buildup in the aorta. The combined approach revealed more detailed images of plaque thickness, area, and volume than individual techniques, showing promise for improved diagnosis.
Researchers studied adults whose cognitive abilities were first tested at 11 and found that brain white-matter abnormalities made a significant contribution to general cognitive ability differences in old age. Early IQ scores also played a role, but independently of each other.
Researchers found that cardiac MRI technology can detect small areas of heart muscle death that are missed by traditional nuclear imaging techniques like SPECT. This is important because these microinfarcts can be early indicators of future severe heart problems.
Researchers found that MRI accurately diagnosed acute coronary syndrome in 84% of patients, outperforming traditional tests like EKG and blood enzyme test. MRI detected all patients' heart attacks, even those with normal EKGs, and identified more patients with unstable angina.
The study found that whole-body 18F-FDG PET scanning resulted in a change in treatment plans for 55 patients, avoiding unnecessary irradiation and treatment costs. PET scans also detected previously undiagnosed distant metastases in some cases, sparing patients from futile radiation therapy.
Engineers at Purdue University have created a new kind of computer-imaging software that uses stippling to quickly produce complex pictures of internal organs and other renderings. The method is 10 times faster than some conventional methods, enabling real-time previewing of medical images.
Researchers used Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DWMRI) to visualize and measure water characteristics in mouse tumors before and after chemotherapy. They found a significant correlation between water diffusion properties prior to treatment and subsequent tumor growth rate.
A new study published by the American Heart Association found that MRI stress tests can predict fatal and nonfatal heart attacks in patients with certain conditions. The study used MRI stress tests on 279 men and women referred for further testing after initial ultrasound screenings were inconclusive.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for fibroids using a combination of lasers and MRI, which has shown promising results in reducing fibroid volume and improving symptoms. The treatment has the potential to be an alternative to traditional surgery for selected patients, particularly those wishing to preserve their fertility.
The Dartmouth team is learning about breast tissue structure and behavior using magnetic resonance elastography, electrical impedance spectral imaging, microwave imaging spectroscopy, and near infrared spectral imaging. By combining these four techniques, they aim to provide a more complete picture of normal and abnormal breast tissue.
Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a new imaging test for diagnosing breast cancer using the MR elastography technique, which provides data on tissue stiffness. This technology has shown promising results in detecting breast cancer with high accuracy and may reduce the need for biopsies.
New research reveals that brain activity associated with performing motor skills is separate from the process of learning those skills. The study, conducted by Dr. James Ashe and colleagues, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect brain activity in the cerebellum during performance of learned motor skills.
Researchers have discovered that MRI scans can identify individuals at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease decades in advance. The study used postmortem brain scans to show that shrinkage of the hippocampus, a key region affected by the disease, occurs early on.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo's Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center are providing new insights into multiple sclerosis using advanced MRI brain imaging methods. They have found that the brain's gray matter, where higher functioning is centered, is involved in MS and has identified a potential target for treatment.
Researchers use helium-3 diffusion MRI to detect emphysema changes in the smallest airways of the lung. The technique reveals enlarged air spaces that allow helium atoms to move freely, enabling the visualization of lung structure at a scale too small for traditional imaging methods.
Freedman will develop general-purpose algorithms to track objects with varied properties using conventional cameras and MRIs. His work aims to improve surveillance and MRI technology, solving current problems such as object blocking and multi-property tracking.
The new technology uses magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) to produce 3-D images of mice at unprecedented resolution, revolutionizing the use of mouse models in understanding human disease. Digital 'Visible Mice' will enable researchers to share and analyze animals electronically, facilitating collaboration across distances.
A new mathematical theory developed by Vanderbilt University professors can produce more accurate digital representations of complex signals, overcoming limitations of current methods. This has significant applications in areas such as music, photography, medical imaging, astronomy, geophysics, and communications.
Researchers successfully tracked stem cells implanted into a living rat using a magnetic resonance imaging technique, marking an important breakthrough. The iron-laden cells create a magnetic black hole easily spotted by MRI, allowing scientists to monitor the cells' behavior and movement without tissue removal.
Researchers have successfully treated kidney tumors using radio frequency energy, achieving a 91% tumor ablation rate and no cancer recurrences in 9 of 11 patients. The minimally invasive procedure is less expensive, safer, and easier than surgery.
The Biomedical Informatics Research Network (BIRN) will share digital magnetic resonance images and advanced 3-D microscope images using high-bandwidth networking technologies. Researchers can study linkages between animal models of human diseases and data from patients suffering with these diseases.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new imaging method that uses high-temperature superconductors to improve Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologies. The breakthrough, led by Professor William Halperin, enables the study of superconducting vortices in tiny crystals with unprecedented spatial resolution.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new CT scan technique that allows for precise diagnosis and quick treatment of acute strokes. This technique involves perfusion-weighted CT scans that help physicians predict patient outcomes and administer the appropriate treatment, resulting in improved clinical recovery.
A new imaging method developed at Ohio State University uses computerized analysis of magnetic resonance images to detect blurred regions that may indicate cancer. This method could significantly reduce the number of painful biopsies women undergo, with a recent study showing nearly 100% accuracy in detecting these regions.
Researchers used voxel-compression mapping to identify early structural brain changes in individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease. The study found that progressive atrophy began 3 years or more before symptom onset, suggesting a presymptomatic phase of increased tissue loss.
A new tool allows early prediction of patient's stroke outcome by combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and time from symptoms to scan. The study found that patients with small lesion volumes were five times more likely to recover than those with larger volumes.
Researchers have successfully analyzed diffusion MRI images to distinguish between dead and living brain tumor cells in animals and humans. This technique allows for the assessment of therapy effects without relying on measurable changes in tumor size, enabling earlier detection of treatment response.
Researchers developed a new MRI-guided catheter ablation technique to treat arrhythmia, reducing radiation exposure and improving procedure accuracy. The novel method uses MRI to guide radio frequency energy, creating precise lesions that block abnormal electrical pathways in heart muscle.
A Phase II study demonstrates the efficacy of non-surgical radiologic intervention using heat in treating kidney cancers. Dr. Jonathan Lewin has successfully 'ablated' tumors in six patients with no recurrence, surpassing the normal three- to-six-month recurrence rate.
The new Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DT-MRI) technology provides detailed maps of brain networks and allows for diagnosis of medical conditions like stroke, as well as assessment of neurological disorders. DT-MRI also holds promise for imaging skeletal muscles, heart, and circulatory system.