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Oxford key to network of ultra-powerful MRI scanners

General Research

Researchers at Oxford University are playing a key role in expanding the UK's network of ultra-powerful MRI machines. Oxford and Nottingham Universities have been pioneering research using so-called 'Ultra-high field' (UHF) MRI scanners, which are at the cutting edge of biomedical imaging. They are now joined by new systems in Cardiff, Cambridge and Glasgow.

UHF MRI has the potential to provide unique insights into key medical conditions including dementia, cerebrovascular disease and mental health. Research is now focusing on taking the technology out of the lab and into hospital, with the UK poised to play a major role.

Using the standard measure of magnetic power, the Tesla, the machines are rated at 7 Tesla (7T). One Tesla is about 20,000 times the strength of Earth's magnetic field and medical MRI scanners are around 1.5 Tesla.

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