Ultra High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a modern medical diagnostic tool. MRI does not put any strain on the health of the person being examined which is not a case with X ray diagnostics, computer tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET). With MRI technique it is possible to perform traditional imaging (which reveals anatomical structures) as well as functional MRI (fMRI) which detects neuronal activation. MRI is also very useful for mapping neurochemical and neurobiological processes directly. In order to perform advanced measurements magnetic field stronger than that of clinical instruments is necessary. In our institute two ultra high-field MRI systems were acquired – a whole body MR system with a field strength of 9.4 Tesla for human studies and 14.1 Tesla MR system for animal studies. Basics of MRI technique and advantages of using ultra high field scanners will be presented