Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) News and Research

RSS

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and structures inside your body. Health care professionals use MRI scans to diagnose a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors. MRIs are very useful for examining the brain and spinal cord. Also called: Magnetic resonance imaging, NMR, Nuclear magnetic resonance.

UMB, UMCP to develop small robot that could help neurosurgeons in removing brain tumors

A research team from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have been awarded a new $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue developing a small robot that could one day be a huge aid to neurosurgeons in removing difficult-to-reach brain tumors.

17 Oct 2012

Biogen Idec announces new data from BG-12 Phase 3 studies on RRMS

Today Biogen Idec announced new data from studies evaluating oral BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate), which provide further evidence supporting its strong clinical and radiological effects in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and reinforce its favorable safety profile seen to date.

12 Oct 2012

Two Boston University community members among new MAS Fellows

Two members of the Boston University community are among the new class of Fellows of the Massachusetts Academy of Sciences (MAS).

12 Oct 2012

Transplanted neural stem cells able to produce new myelin in children with PMD

A Phase I clinical trial led by investigators from the University of California, San Francisco and sponsored by Stem Cells Inc., showed that neural stem cells successfully engrafted into the brains of patients and appear to have produced myelin.

11 Oct 2012

New time-resolved multi-frame MRI technique can identify early-stage CAD

With the results of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers say they are closer to finding an imaging technique that can identify thickening of the coronary artery wall, an early stage of coronary heart disease (CAD). The study is published online in the journal Radiology.

9 Oct 2012

Alzheimer's disease diagnosis within minutes using a simple brain scan

Groundbreaking research taking place at the University of York could lead to Alzheimer's disease being diagnosed in minutes using a simple brain scan.

8 Oct 2012

New neuroprotective agent for stroke patients potentially found

Scientists have shown that a drug called NA-1 results in fewer brain lesions in patients who have undergone surgery to repair a brain aneurysm, compared to placebo, and appears to be safe to use, according to an Article published Online First in The Lancet Neurology.

8 Oct 2012

Assisted reproduction technology may increase risk of MS activity among women

Researchers in Argentina report that women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who undergo assisted reproduction technology (ART) infertility treatment are at risk for increased disease activity.

4 Oct 2012

Multiple sclerosis symptoms worse in those with low vitamin D levels

Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased number of brain lesions and signs of a more active disease state in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study finds, suggesting a potential link between intake of the vitamin and the risk of longer-term disability from the autoimmune disorder.

3 Oct 2012

Exelixis announces interim data from cabozantinib phase 2 trial on metastatic CRPC

Exelixis, Inc. today announced interim data from 51 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone metastases receiving a 40 mg daily dose of cabozantinib in an ongoing non-randomized expansion (NRE) cohort of a phase 2 randomized discontinuation trial.

1 Oct 2012

Study uses white matter to study brain function

Most people equate "gray matter" with the brain and its higher functions, such as sensation and perception, but this is only one part of the anatomical puzzle inside our heads. Another cerebral component is the white matter, which makes up about half the brain by volume and serves as the communications network.

25 Sep 2012

Endorectal MRI helps assess eligibility of men with prostate cancer for active surveillance

PSA screening has resulted in improved prostate cancer survival, but the high rate of diagnosis and treatment side effects raise concerns about overtreatment. In the quest to prevent overtreatment, "active surveillance" has emerged as a plausible option, encouraged for men whose tumors may not need immediate treatment and may never progress to more serious illness. Appropriate criteria for selecting patients for active surveillance are continuously debated.

25 Sep 2012

Study tracks and compares brain growth in chimpanzee and human fetuses

Humans' superior brain size in comparison to their chimpanzee cousins traces all the way back to the womb. That's according to a study reported in the September 25 issue of Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, that is the first to track and compare brain growth in chimpanzee and human fetuses.

25 Sep 2012

BG-12 effective for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis

Results of the CONFIRM and DEFINE studies suggest that dimethyl fumarate should be considered as an oral treatment for patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis.

24 Sep 2012

Bruker to purchase preclinical imaging product portfolio and related assets from Carestream

Carestream Health and Bruker have entered into an agreement for Bruker to purchase the preclinical in-vivo imaging equipment product portfolio and related assets from Carestream's Molecular Imaging business. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

24 Sep 2012

Close monitoring could give early warning of MS disease course

Patients with multiple sclerosis who have breakthrough disease activity early in the course of treatment with interferon beta-1a are at high risk for severe worsening and poor long-term outcomes, research shows.

20 Sep 2012

Obese adults with excess visceral fat, biomarkers of insulin resistance more likely to develop diabetes

Obese adults with excess visceral fat (fat located inside the abdominal cavity, around the body's internal organs) and biomarkers of insulin resistance had an associated increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, while obese individuals with higher amounts of total body fat and subcutaneous fat (underneath the skin) did not have this increased risk, according to a study in the September 19 issue of JAMA, and theme issue on obesity.

20 Sep 2012

Obese individuals with excess visceral fat more likely to develop type 2 diabetes

Obese individuals with excess visceral fat (abdominal fat that surrounds the body-s internal organs) have an increased risk for the development of Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. By contrast, persons with excess abdominal subcutaneous fat (fat underneath the skin) were not at higher risk for the onset of diabetes.

19 Sep 2012

‘C’ variant disrupts brain connectivity in children with ASD

Over the past decade, researchers have made great strides in identifying genes that lead to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which result in a continuum of social deficits, communication difficulties and cognitive delays. But it's still critical to determine how exactly these genetic risk factors impact the brain's structure and function so that better treatments and interventions can be developed.

15 Sep 2012

MRI workers experience transient neurocognitive effects

Individuals working in the vicinity of magnetic resonance imaging machines may experience transient neurocognitive effects when moving their heads, research demonstrates.

10 Sep 2012