Study of New Magnetic Resonance Methods

Overview

This study will evaluate new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) methods using a MRI machine more powerful than those in most hospitals. MRI is a diagnostic tool that uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images of the human body. It can also provide information about brain chemistry and physiology. This study will use the new MRI hardware and methods to measure blood flow and metabolism in regions of the brain during simple tasks, such as listening to tones or watching flashing checkerboards. Healthy normal volunteers will undergo MRI scanning. For this procedure, the person lies on a stretcher that is moved into a MRI machine, which produces a strong magnetic field. A special lightweight coil is placed on the person's head to obtain better pictures. The scan time ranges from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with the average scan lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. During the MRI, the person may be asked to perform simple tasks, such as listening to tones or watching a screen, tapping fingers or moving a hand. More complex tasks may require thinking about tones or pictures and responding to them by pressing buttons. The images produced in this study will be compared with those produced using standard MRI. The results will be used to develop improved imaging methods for better patient care and research.

Technical advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) has provided researchers with the opportunity to study functional and metabolic changes of the central nervous system (CNS) in both healthy controls and individuals with neurological diseases in response to sensory, motor or cognitive stimulation. While MRI is in common usage in radiology departments and clinics MRI and MRS techniques and hardware are continually being upgraded and designed for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging of the CNS at 3.0 Tesla. We will evaluate new sequences on volunteers and for potential use in patients with CNS pathology. These studies are required in order to develop and implement new imaging techniques for research and clinical applications.

Conditions