MRI is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. It is a standard medical technique used for disease diagnosis. A related technology is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which measures blood oxygenation to estimate neural activity, is already a common tool for studying social processes.
Three novel applications of MRI scanning are outlined.
Application of AI for MRI
Medical technologists have been using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve MRI. The advancement has been made at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City. Through the use of reconstruction algorithms, it has been possible to reduce imaging times by 50 percent.
The type of AI is the uses the Air Recon DL AI image reconstruction algorithm. This enables shorter scan times to be established, so the same number of patients can be screened within a far shorter time period.
Screening for brain abnormalities in children
A new study of brain MRI scans from over 11,000 nine- and ten-year-old children has been assessed by UC San Francisco neuroradiologists. The scientists have identified previously undetected life-threatening conditions in around 1 in 500 children. The data shows how MRI can be applied to the assessment of different structural abnormalities in the developing brain.
Assessing head injuries of athletes
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a new device that can be be worn around the neck of athletes during sports activities. This is to help to gather data in relation to the brain and repetitive sub-concussive head impacts.
The non-invasive device is called Q-Collar. This is a C-shaped collar that applies compressive force to the neck and increases blood volume to help reduce movement of the brain within the cranial space which may occur during head impacts. The device may reduce the occurrence of specific changes in the brain that are associated with brain injury.
In terms of evaluating the success of the device, MRI scanning will be used to assess the level of any head injuries.
