Applying Parallel-Transmit 7T MRI (pTx-7T-MRI) to enable Sub-Millimetre Imaging with consistent contrast across the whole Brain for Epilepsy.

About the project

About the Project Summary Parallel transmission uses multiple independently controlled radiofrequency transmitters to overcome image non-uniformities that historically limited clinical uses of 7T MRI. Our recent pTx-7T-MRI epilepsy study revealed abnormalities responsible for seizures in patients whose standard hospital 3T MRI and PET scans had been inconclusive. This changed clinical management to benefit 58% of patients ( https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.18353 ), allowing several patients to bypass risky and expensive invasive testing and be referred for epilepsy surgery that gives 60-80% chance of seizure freedom. Project Aims With £3m funding from the MRC, we have now begun a world-first prospective multi-site clinical study of this approach. As a PhD student, you could develop new MRI pulse sequences, image-reconstruction methods and processing algorithms to make images from our new Terra.X scanner as clear and reliable as possible and ultimately bring 7T MRI into NHS pathways. The methods you develop will also support research in traumatic brain injury, dementia and other neurological disorders, and contribute to discovery science at the new UK National 11.7T MRI facility. How to Apply; If you are interested in this project, please go to the University pages and apply via the online portal; PhD https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcnpdpcn/apply

Research areas