First in Europe: high-performance head-only scanner reveals ultra-fine brain detail

The Centre of Neuroimaging Sciences at Denmark Hill Campus, King's College London, is now home to a new investigational GE HealthCare MAGNUS 3T MRI scanner, the first of its calibre in Europe.

GE HealthCare is a 30 year-long industry-partner of researchers at King’s College London and have been working with researchers supported by our BRC.

The MAGNUS system is one of the first high-performance head-only scanners, specialised for brain imaging. The scanner enables more accurate imaging and measurement of brain structures, such as mapping fine bundles of nerve fibres and white matter connecting different brain regions, grey matter and even the protective layer of cells between the brain and circulatory system (blood brain barrier). 

The new technology will allow scientists to push the boundaries of what is possible in neuroscience and psychiatric research, particularly regarding brain development and ageing, and in neurosurgical applications.

“Recognising the need for a true high-performance, head-only MR system to advance neuroscience research, GE HealthCare Technology and Innovation Center (HITC) developed the concept of a power efficient, high gradient amplitude and rapid scanning system using no more power than a clinical 3T MRI scanner,” commented Thomas Foo, PhD, Chief Scientist at GE HITC.

Previously unobtainable resolution

The GE HealthCare MAGNUS 3T achieves a level of detail up to 10 times finer than previous state-of-the-art commercial systems, measuring the brain in far tinier 3D volumes (voxels).

“This scanner provides improvements in resolution that will allow us to see the brain in much higher definition whilst also reducing the time to collect the whole image,” commented Professor Steve Williams, Head of Neuroimaging at the School of Neuroscience who is part of the NIHR Maudsley BRC Neuroimaging theme.

The resolution of MAGNUS allows researchers to probe microstructure information at a highly detailed level in human brains. This development enables precise quantification of axon (the fibres that transmit electrical signals between neurons) sizes which is important in many areas of neuroscience, especially in brain development and aging research.

This builds on work done by Dr Flavio Dell’Acqua, Reader in Translational Neuroimaging at King’s School of Neuroscience and part of the NIHR Maudsley BRC neuroimaging theme, who has pioneered advanced imaging methods to map and quantify brain connections as well as novel approaches to visualise distinct white matter pathways based on their axonal size.

“With the MAGNUS we can detect subtle details in brain tissue that were previously invisible. The scanner's higher resolution, combined with advanced models, gives us both greater sensitivity to detect smaller features and greater specificity to distinguish between different tissue properties with much more precision,” comments Dr Dell’Acqua.

Accessible scanning for children and young people

For several neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, autism and psychosis, the MAGNUS scanner provides a valuable tool to measure how white matter and connections develop differently in children and young people and across the lifespan.

“What is exciting is that we can use this novel clinical scanner to generate extremely high-quality images of brain structure and function for all ages” commented Professor Steve Williams.

Previous work from Professor Williams and his team has focused on making scanning more accessible to children and young people. Conventional scanning is extremely loud and can be time consuming. For young children who struggle to stay still for long periods and those with ADHD or autism who may be sensitive to noise this can be a strong deterrent.

The MAGNUS system is compatible with new silent scanning methods previously developed by Professor Williams’ team in collaboration with GE HealthCare and with support from the NIHR Maudsley BRC.

Professor Steve Williams, Head of Neuroimaging at the School of Neuroscience said:

“Scanners can be noisy. For people feeling anxious, who are neurodiverse, those with tinnitus or auditory hallucinations, the noise can make scanning intolerable. It was important to us that we made the scanners as comfortable and quiet as possible for everyone.” 

In recognition of its vital role for children and young people, the new scanner was partly funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as part of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People.

“The new scanner is better for kids. It’s in a really lovely room, makes less noise, and during many of the scans, the child can watch a movie or listen to their favourite music, to help them feel at ease. We want scanning to be great for science and fun for kids,” commented Professor Philip Shaw, Director of the King’s Maudsley Partnership.

An opportunity for collaboration

The scanner will be available for use by researchers across the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, NIHR Maudsley BRC, the King’s Maudsley Partnership, King’s School of Dentistry and clinicians in King’s Health Partners.

The scanner also offers opportunities for collaboration further afield across the UK and internationally. Plans are developing for an international consortium between groups using these scanners across the globe.

Data from the MAGNUS system at King’s will be used to develop the technology further towards a commercially available system, leading the future of brain scanning worldwide.

“The investigational MAGNUS system has demonstrated high resolution, high image quality microstructure brain imaging. GE HealthCare is pleased to support the neuroscience research at King’s and to use the performance feedback towards development of a fully CE-marked, commercial system,” commented Thomas Foo, PhD, Chief Scientist at GE HITC.