Abstract

We seek part funding for an advanced, 9.4T MRI scanner and ancillary equipment central to the work of Edinburgh Neuroscience, incorporating newly emerging technology to remain at the international forefront of neuroimaging research that is informing our understanding of brain development, midlife risk factors and ageing in animal models.

The 9.4T MRI scanner will be equipped with high performance gradients, multinuclear capability and a range of head and body coils. Brain coils will increase resolution for high-resolution structural imaging (e.g. T1, T2, T2*, FLAIR) and wide-ranging specialist imaging techniques (diffusion tensor, perfusion, permeability and magnetisation transfer imaging, functional MRI, multinuclear spectroscopy, angiographic and flow quantification).

The 9.4T scanner will replace a 7T MRI scanner, which is outdated technology unsupported by the company. It no longer meets the high specifications needed to be internationally-leading in high resolution structural/functional imaging and spectroscopy. The new 9.4T scanner is essential to provide a comprehensive range of high resolution in vivo imaging for our large programmes of work determining disease progression and novel therapeutic targets/efficacy in animal models relevant to brain disorders: developmental disorders (autism, preterm birth), mid-life risk factors (cardiovascular and metabolic disease, brain tumours) and diseases of the elderly (dementia, small vessel disease).