Brain Scans Got 64 Million Times Sharper, Thanks to MRI Resolution Boost; Scientists May Use Technique To Detect Neurodegenerative Changes

In culmination of nearly four decades' worth of work, researchers were able to successfully boost MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) resolution by 64 million times. With this, they were able to take the most detailed snaps of a mouse brain.

Improving MRI Scans

These scans were relayed as part of a PNAS study. G. Allan Johnson, the study's lead author and a distinguished radiology professor at Duke University, notes how enabling the efforts were. He adds that, through such a technique, specialists can examine neurodegenerative conditions in a fresh way.

In the last 40 years or so, Johnson has been assisted by researchers and students from the Center for In Vivo Microscopy at Duke University. Live Science notes that they have been focusing on enhancing MRI.

Generally, MRI utilizes strong magnets in order to foster magnetic fields. This, then, causes hydrogen atoms inside molecules of water in the body to specifically point somewhere and align the spins. The MRI machine then utilizes radio wave pulses to flip these spins of the atoms. The atoms then go back to their original alignment, while every flip leads to a radio signal that an MRI scanner can pick up and use for making brain images.

64 Million Times Sharper Brain Scans

To boost its capacities, researchers came up with an enhanced MRI that was booted with a 9.4-tesla magnet. For reference, MRIs are typically booted with 1.5- to 3-tesla magnets.

The researchers also installed potent gradient coils that are 100 times more intense and that are responsible for image creation. This was also coupled with an extremely high-speed computer, which has power that is roughly equivalent to 800 laptops.

After performing scans on the mouse brain, they delivered sample tissues for imaging through light sheet microscopy. This technique enabled them to label specific cell groups within the brain that the original MRI had mapped. Because of this, they were able to get a colorful view of the circuits and cells throughout the mouse brain.

One group of scans captured the evolution of brain-wide connectivity in the course of aging. Another set revealed colored brain links that emphasized neural network neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer's.

Fresh Look at the Brain and Neurodegeneration

Though such images cover the brain of a mouse, the researchers think that humans could be next in the lineup. This technique could even potentially help specialists monitor brain changes that take place due to neurodegenerative conditions. They could also monitor aging-related changes.

Aside from that, the method could also be useful in looking into the brain changes when mice are prescribed life-extending medications or are on specific diets.

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