World’s most sophisticated MRI facility

World’s most sophisticated MRI facility

Part of: Prelims and GS-III – Sci and tech

Context Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology launched first of its kind, world’s most sophisticated MRI facility at the National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar Haryana.

• NBRC is an autonomous institute funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

About new MRI facility

• With this facility, India embarks on new frontiers of human Neuroscience 
• This new facility can run intense scanning modalities very fast, which reduces the scanning time for patients 
• It can detect and quantify highly sensitive receptors and antioxidants from the brain which has a direct link with onset of various brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and psychiatric disorders. 
• Also, heavy metal deposition in the brain due to pollution or many other factors can be quantified as necessary 

What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI)?

• MRI is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological processes of the body. 
• MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio waves to generate images of the organs in the body.
• MRI is the most frequently used imaging test of the brain and spinal cord.