Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides detailed images of the brain. Different MR “sequences” now make it possible not only to observe deviations from healthy brain anatomy, but also to observe changes in blood flow, blood-brain barrier permeability, brain metabolism, iron depositions, and more. Most medical conditions for which MRI is used have an MRI “signature,” which when detected can lead to better treatment. Repeated MRIs can also be used to monitor treatment efficacy as well as disease progression, as for example in multiple sclerosis which is observed to wax and wane over time in some individuals.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is not associated with any known adverse effect except for people with metal or magnetic implants (such as metallic clips in the brain or cardiac pacemakers), or possibly to pregnant women. Metal objects can heat up or possibly move in the patient’s body. Some types of (home-made) tattoos can also heat up and cause discomfort. Those who may have such risk factors should not be recruited into MRI studies. At this time, though there is no indication of an adverse effect, pregnant women, or possibly pregnant women, should also not be in MRI studies. Metal objects can also become projectile when placed near the magnetic field. This has been reported at a few sites, but it is a very rare occurrence. Protection from magnetic objects can be safeguarded by the usual safety techniques that are practiced in MRI sessions such as having subjects and researchers take all metal objects off their person before entering the environment. Another potential risk is psychological distress caused by being in the enclosed space such as the MRI scanner. Individuals who become severely anxious when in enclosed spaces will not be tested. Additionally any subject who finds that they are anxious or uncomfortable during the procedure will be taken out of the scanner and not tested.

The Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory (PNL) has been at the forefront of several discoveries and inventions, whether it be to detect hallmarks of mental disorders and or developing new MRI technologies to better understand the structure and function of the brain. [SMEP1] Researchers from the PNL were among the first to propose increased neuroinflammation during early psychosis (or first episode schizophrenia). MRI imaging of the brain can take a long time (up to an hour or more), which is quite uncomfortable to certain types of patients. Dr. Rathi and his team were among the early groups who proposed to reduce the scan time of diffusion MRI by 2-3 fold to about 10 minutes (US Patent: 10302727). They also developed new “sequences” to speed-up the acquisitions of new types of imaging methods such as joint relaxation-diffusion (US Patent pending) that allow better characterization of the biological tissue properties of the brain. Dr. Ning is also leading the way to develop a new real-time tool for precision targeting and visualization of brain targets for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-guided therapy (US Patent pending) for psychiatric disorders such as depression, OCD, etc. Several MRI techniques developed at the PNL can be used for biomarker discovery as well as for monitoring treatment response due to newer therapies and interventions as part of clinical trials.