Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has represented a revolution in diagnostic imaging, having become the most common method of imaging internal organs, and in particular, the brain. This is due to the exquisite contrast offered by MRI between soft tissues (such as white and grey matter of the brain) and its safety for the patient. Less well known is its versatility. As the MRI signal is sensitive to several physical characteristics of tissue, MRI offers a virtually infinite range of contrasts.
In this lecture, Professor Cercignani reveals how this property can be manipulated to show features of tissue at the microscopic level. She explores what MRI measurements can tell us about the healthy and diseased brain, discusses how the technique is still evolving, and concludes with the impact this has for speedier and more effective diagnosis.
