Research focus
The project aims to map the conductivity of brain tissue by measuring weak current-induced fields in the brain using a 7 tesla MR scanner. Recently, the group was the first ever to demonstrate a robust method for this conductivity mapping on a 3 tesla scanner, and the project will adapt and advance these results to ultra-high field MR.
7 tesla MR has double the signal strength and will therefore improve the conductivity measurements, but it also poses other significant challenges that have to be overcome. This includes shorter RF wavelength causing safety concerns for the current injection system, higher sensitivity to motion, and field inhomogeneity issues.
The project involves a 9-month research secondment at State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Beijing, who is a partner in the project.
Perspective
Overcoming these challenges is expected to enable MR electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) as a new tool for improving cancer diagnostic. It is expected to provice sufficient measurement quality to allow MREIT in patients. Furthermore, mapping the conductivity of the brain has many applications both clinically and in neuroscience research, such as making individualized head models to improve the accuracy of transcranial brain stimulation and electro- and magnetoencephalography.
Scientific output
Find Fróði's publications at DTU's online research database ORBIT.
Funding
The project is funded by Sino-Danish Center and carried out in collaboration with Institute of Biophysics, Beijing, China.
Supervisors
Assoc Prof Lars G. Hanson, Assoc Prof Axel Thielscher and Prof Rong Xue.
Project period
September 2018 - August 2021