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More powerful MRI scanners should provide better information on what is happening in our CNS and to monitor the effects of treatments.

At the end of March, Professor Miller, UK MS / MRI expert is giving a presentation on MRI and MS.

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/convention/ ... iller.html


The following article reports on the benefits of the newer / more powerful MRI scanners.


Stronger MRI's Speed Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis 18 January 2008
U.S. scientists say ultra-high-field MRIs allow for earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Ultra-high-field -- or 7T -- MRI can detect multiple sclerosis lesions better than 3T MRI, researchers from Ohio State University and New York's Columbia University said in a release.

"The greater sensitivity of 7T MRI for multiple sclerosis can delay disease conversion, and may lead to improved monitoring of neurological deficits in multiple sclerosis," said lead author Dr. Steffen Sammet.

Sammet said MRI at 7T can also give additional information about the lesion microstructure to help doctors better understand the disease.

I read several months ago that MS patients run through the 7 Tesla MRI sometimes have several hundred lesions show up, whereas none showed up on the 2 or 3 Tesla.

This is going to be a huge tool for neuros when it is available.

gwa

Mass General recently got a 7T for research. I went in it for a study. If they slide you in too quickly you feel like you are spinning around!

The pictures are amazing - it looks like photographs of an autopsy.

Strangely, my brain was almost completely clean, even though my MS is getting worse. No signs of significant atrophy either.

Keep in mind that most of my lesion activity in the past was in my spine, and this was brain only.

It will be great when these are more available. They are way cool.

.

bob,

This is an open MRI, which is not as powerful as an enclosed MRI.

It is a .7 Tesla, not a 7 Tesla. That is a BIG difference. I think the open ones have been put in some places because as the article says, some people won't fit in a regular one and it is better than nothing with these people.

Also, a lot of people are claustrophobic and can't get into a regular MRI.

As I remember, there are very few 7 Tesla machines available because they are so new. I imagine that buying a new MRI machine has a lot of expense and facility issues too.

gwa