4 Tesla MRI for Neurodegenerative Diseases

摘要

During the past year, nine research projects have used the 4Tesla magnet (for a total of 398 scans), and 55 developmental scans had been completed. Since the last progress report, we upgraded the shim currents which substantially improved the quality of imaging and spectroscopy, especially in problematic regions including the hippocampus and prefrontal lobe. The software platform was upgraded to the latest software version VA25 which provides better management and control of image processes. An auto-align software package was installed in order to improve reproducibility of image orientation and angulation using a template brain. Finally a whole body transmit coil and 7 KW transmitters have been ordered to improve uniformity of the B1-field and yield for arterial spinning. Our plans for the coming year are to test the performance of the auto align software on a large range of subjects with a broad range of brain abnormalities, and to complete the installation of the KW transmitters after the manufacturer performance tests are completed. The Center of Excellence funded six projects and five of these projects have the necessary approvals to begin work. We will continue the call for proposals and review and fund new innovative studies.