ULF-EAGLE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ultra-Low Field MRI Evaluation of sub-Acute cerebrovascular Lesions
IRAS ID
368489
Contact name
MJ Macleod
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 7 days
Research summary
Low-field MRI technology, operating at magnetic field strengths many times lower than conventional MRI, provides a unique opportunity to develop new biomarkers of pathology. In addition, due to the reduced scanner size and demand on supporting infrastructure, low-field MRI can reduce health inequality by providing cost-effective imaging solutions accessible to a wide range of diseases and patients. However, further work is needed to develop low-field MRI towards clinically feasible assessments of brain disease.
The University of Aberdeen hosts a unique network of researchers and imaging technologies that is now making it possible to test and develop different low-field MRI approaches towards solving key healthcare challenges. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the potential of ultra-low field MRI (ULF-MRI) to detect brain changes associated with subacute ischaemic stroke and primary intracerebral haemorrhage. Automated methods will be developed to analyse images and extract measurements that disease.
The ultra-low field whole body MRI scanner is a prototype which has been installed within the Biomedical Physics Building with the aim of developing a high-yield, low-cost MRI system longer term. This has demonstrated good resolution in healthy subjects, and we would now like to recreate the groundbreaking work carried out with Field-Cycling Imaging (FCI) to demonstrate that subacute stroke can be identified at these fixed low fields.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
26/NS/0047
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion