A team of BRC-funded researchers has demonstrated the effectiveness of accelerated MRI scanning for studies of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments.
This study positively identified that the accelerated scans allow researchers and clinicians to get the same information in a more time-efficient way. Imaging has long been used to investigate brain health, as well as holding the potential to indicate if treatments are working. The accelerated MRI scans in this study were used to measure brain size and shrinkage.
Studies and clinical trials now need more information from a single scanning session. Obtaining large volumes of data with current methods would mean prolonged scanner sessions for patients. Therefore scanning techniques that take less time are more convenient for the patient and would cost less. Researchers wanted to know whether quicker scanning results in poorer quality imaging or influences the measures derived from the scans.
Dr Josephine Barnes, an author on the paper said: “We wanted to see whether the newer, faster (accelerated) scans might be able to replace standard scans in studies and clinical trials. If these accelerated scans could be used, the amount of time individuals spend in the scanner, as well as scanning costs, could be reduced. Alternatively, other scan types might be fitted into the scanning session, giving investigators more information about brain health”.
To read the full paper, please visit the Neuroinformatics journal.
