Page 27 - BB Neuromedicine Highlights 2019

Systems Corporation. If the past
predicts the future, it is highly
likely Ultra-HighField MRI will
soon become a routinely used
neuroimaging procedure.

WhaT’s The lImIT ON mag-
NeT sIze IN mrI NeurOImag-
INg?
As noted, Ultra-High Field MRI
scanning has been in use since the
late 1990s for research purpos-
es. Today, some neuroimaging
labs have 21 Tesla MRI scanners
that allow exquisite detail and
information in animal research.
It, however, remains unclear if
these potent magnets are safe
for human beings. Currently, 10.5
Tesla and 11.7 Tesla models of
Ultra-High Field MRIs are now un-
is a case where a patient ’s tiny these will likely improve in time. quickly. Several major companies der examination for use in clinical
pituitary gland tumor in the brain Projections in the MRI neuro- are highly invested in advancing medicine. But the jury is still out
was identified using Ultra-High- imaging market expect to see the these mRi neuroimaging technol- so far. One thing is for certain,
Field mRi. the tumor wasn’t seen growth of 5.5 percent between ogies. Siemens Healthcare offers however. The potential for unlock-
on routing MRI neuroimaging, and now and 2025. Currently, there its mAgnEtom tERRA ultra- ing many secrets of the brain and
the finding allowed the patient are only about 50 Ultra-High High-Field MRI for clinical and in advancing neurological care
to avoid more invasive surgical Field mRi scanners in the world research purposes. Other major will undoubtedly involve these
care. Ultra-HighField MRI is also for clinical use, but with FDA ap- players include GE healthcare, advances in neuroimaging. Does
improving diagnostics in patients proval, this will probably advance Hitachi Ltd., and Toshiba Medical size matter? It would appear so.
with Multiple Sclerosis, epilepsy,
and stroke. Its use in research has
vast implications for conditions
like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkin-
son’s disease, and ALS.
Is There a markeT FOr ul-
Tra-hIgh FIelD mrI TechNOl-
Ogy?
Ultra-High Field MRI certainly
offers an ability to see the brain’s
structure in greater detail. it also
provides tremendous opportu-
nities to examine interactions
among brain cells and brain
regions. This has significant ap-
plications in trying to understand
neurological illnesses. With the
aging of the population and a rise
in chronic diseases, Ultra-High
Field MRI will likely be well
utilized. Cost and poor reimburse-
ment issues may exist presently,