Safer, clearer 7 Tesla brain MRI with improved transmit technology
Multiphoton parallel Transmit for MRI
This project tests a new MRI transmit approach to make 7 Tesla brain scans clearer and safer for people with brain injuries or other neurological conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261770 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, this project aims to reduce uneven radiofrequency waves that make high-field (7T) MRI images look wrong in the center or at the edges of the head. The team is building a 'multiphoton' parallel-transmit hardware approach that simplifies equipment and improves real-time monitoring so radiofrequency power and local heating (SAR) can be predicted more reliably. They will use electromagnetic modeling, bench and phantom tests, and prototype hardware integrated with a human MRI scanner to check performance. The goal is to make high-resolution brain MRI more practical and safer for clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with neurological disorders or acquired brain injuries who may benefit from higher-resolution 7T brain imaging would be the ideal candidates to use this technology.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot undergo MRI (for example those with incompatible implants), who are unable to travel to Boston, or who need immediate treatment rather than advanced imaging may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors get clearer, more detailed 7T brain images while reducing safety concerns about local tissue heating.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows 7T MRI and parallel transmit methods can improve image quality, but reliably predicting and managing local RF heating remains a known challenge, so this hardware-focused approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wald, Lawrence L — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Wald, Lawrence L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.