Ultra-Low Field MRI: An Accessible Neuroimaging Technology

Speaker:

Jelle Veraart, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology
NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Abstract:

Ultra-Low Field (ULF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed at magnetic field strengths significantly lower than the typical clinical MRI systems, which operate at 1.5 to 3 Tesla. ULF MRI typically operates at magnetic field strengths below 0.1 Tesla and, in some cases, even below 10 microtesla. The key advantage of this emerging technology is that it reduces the costs and complexity associated with high-field MRI systems.ULF MRI systems can be smaller, lighter, and more portable. These systems are also less sensitive to artifacts from metal implants, making them potentially safer for patients with such devices. Moreover, ULF MRI offers the potential for simultaneous acquisition of both MRI and magnetoencephalography (MEG) data, enabling the combination of anatomical and functional imaging in real-time. However, ULF MRI has significant challenges, including lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and reduced spatial resolution compared to conventional MRI. Dr. Veraart’s team is working on advanced signal processing techniques and hardware improvements to overcome these limitations and broaden the clinical applications of ULF MRI. This imaging technology holds promise for new applications in brain imaging, portable diagnostics, and settings where traditional MRI is impractical due to size, cost, or the need for a controlled environment.

Dr. Veraart received his PhD in Physics from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2013. Subsequently, he received a fellowship from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) to pursue postdoctoral research at the Center for Biomedical Imaging, NYU Langone Medical Center. Dr. Veraart has co-authored over 150 papers and has garnered close to 9,000 citations in the less then 12 years.