Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have developed a method that could make magnetic resonance imaging—MRI—multicolor.
Current MRI techniques rely on a single contrast agent injected into a patient’s veins to vivify images. The new method uses two at once, which could allow doctors to map multiple characteristics of a patient’s internal organs in a single MRI. The strategy could serve as a research tool and even aid disease diagnosis.
“The method we developed enables, for the first time, the simultaneous detection of two different MRI contrast agents,” said Chris Flask, PhD, Associate Professor of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Pediatrics, and Director of the Imaging Resource Core at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Two contrast agents could include one specifically targeting diseased tissue, and one designed to show healthy tissue, for example. The new method would enable immediate comparisons of how each agent distributes in the same patient.
“This multi-agent detection capability has the potential to transform molecular imaging, as it provides a critical translational pathway for studies in patients,” said Flask. It also provides a unique imaging platform to rigorously study molecular therapies.” Therapies could include those targeting biomarkers or other detectable molecules associated with diseases.
Flask and colleagues recently described their new method in Nature Scientific Reports. The paper describes how two contrast agents, gadolinium and manganese, can be detected and independently quantified during MRIs. The authors span 11 departments at Case Western Reserve, uniting engineers, nurses, clinicians, and basic science researchers. They also include several members of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. According to the authors, their results provide “an adaptable, quantitative imaging framework to assess two MRI contrast agents simultaneously for a wide variety of imaging applications.”
The researchers have begun to investigate widespread practical applications for the new MRI approach. Said Flask, “In this initial paper, we validated our new methodology, opening the possibility for numerous follow-on application studies in cancer, genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.”
Learn more: Multicolor MRIs Could Aid Disease Detection
The Latest on: Multicolor MRIs
[google_news title=”” keyword=”multicolor MRIs” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- Anonymous $1M donation goes toward reducing MRI wait timeson April 26, 2024 at 12:53 pm
An anonymous million-dollar donation will go toward reducing wait times for MRI scans across the province, according to Horizon Health Network. Shannon Hunter, president and CEO of the Saint ...
- SpringWorks Therapeutics Announces Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meetingon April 24, 2024 at 11:26 am
Results from Phase 2b ReNeu trial of mirdametinib in NF1-PN accepted for oral presentation –– Additional data from the Phase 3 DeFi trial of ...
- MRI scanner inventor honoured with hospital plaqueon April 23, 2024 at 7:36 am
Prof John Rowland Mallard OBE was born in Northampton in 1927 A professor of medical physics whose team invented the MRI scanner has been honoured with a plaque in the hospital of his home town.
- Go-ahead for multi-million pound Hinckley diagnostic centreon April 22, 2024 at 1:17 pm
The Hinckley hub, in Mount Road, will deliver MRI and CT scanning and X-rays, as well as endoscopies in a suite with private recovery rooms. Helen Hendley, from LLR ICB, said once fully operational, ...
- AIRS Medical Accelerates Global Expansion with MRI AI Solution SwiftMR™ Supply Contracts in Germany and the UKon April 22, 2024 at 1:13 am
Working alongside it's partner in Germany, Med AI Solutions GmbH, AIRS Medical has signed a contract to supply SwiftMR™, an AI-powered MRI enhancement solution, to RNZ ...
- Realizing the Promise of Neuromelanin-Sensitive MRI (NM-MRI)on April 20, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Recent advances in neuromelanin-sensitive MRI (NM-MRI) can provide valuable adjunctive data to help detect, diagnose, and monitor neurodegenerative diseases such as PD. Parkinson’s disease is ...
- Dr. Roach: MRI not recommended for patient with shrapnel lodged in skullon April 18, 2024 at 3:01 pm
I would say that the piece is half in and half out of the skull bone. At age 77, I am unable to have an MRI. I currently have Type 2 diabetes and a pacemaker. I also had prostate cancer ...
- Researchers discover new metric for diagnosing autismon April 18, 2024 at 5:35 am
Autism spectrum disease has yet to be attributed to a single cause due to its vast range of symptoms and severity. However, a study conducted by University of Virginia researchers reveals a promising ...
- Dear Doctor: MRI scans not a good choice for veteran with shrapnel in his skullon April 17, 2024 at 11:06 pm
I would say that the piece is half in and half out of the skull bone. At age 77, I am unable to have an MRI. I currently have Type 2 diabetes and a pacemaker. I also had prostate cancer ...
- MRI not recommended for patient with shrapnel lodged in skullon April 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
I would say that the piece is half in and half out of the skull bone. At age 77, I am unable to have an MRI. I currently have Type 2 diabetes and a pacemaker. I also had prostate cancer ...
via Google News and Bing News