World-leading research laboratories to collaborate on MRI technology
Scientists at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique (CEA) are working together to develop innovative technologies that will use high-powered magnets through advanced medical imaging to unlock the mysteries of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
A delegation from NRC is in Paris, France, today to sign an international agreement with the CEA to collaborate on ultra high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
"The Government of Canada — through international partnerships such as this — is committed to building a competitive advantage for Canada based on excellence in science and technology," said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry. "This important collaboration will provide much-needed information to help health experts diagnose diseases at an earlier stage, which is critical to improving patient outcomes and improving the lives of all Canadians."
MRIs provide detailed images of the human body without the radiation associated with X-ray-based diagnostic imaging. This collaborative research will improve the way high-powered magnets are used for medical imaging and possibly lead to earlier diagnosis of potentially life-threatening diseases.
"NRC’s international research and development partnerships help strengthen the Canadian economy by creating knowledge and commercializing technology," said NRC President Dr. Pierre Coulombe. "Important collaborations such as this make it easier to develop innovative solutions for all Canadians in priority areas such as health and wellness, sustainable energy and the environment."
This is the second project under a NRC-CEA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed in Ottawa in July 2008. The MOU followed the recently ratified Canada-France Economic Agenda, which acknowledges the intention of the two countries to work together in areas related to science, technology and innovation.
The National Research Council of Canada is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology.
The Commissariat à l'énergie atomique is recognized globally as a leader in science, technology research and development, and innovation in Europe.
Backgrounder
About the international agreement between NRC and CEA
On June 19, 2009, the President the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Dr. Pierre Coulombe, was in Paris, France, to sign an international agreement with the Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), signalling the beginning of collaborations among researchers to develop innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies that will use high-powered magnets to unlock the mysteries of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
About ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging
With each increase in magnetic field strength, MRI machines can produce more information, which may unlock clues about how diseases affect humans and possibly lead to an earlier diagnosis.
The MRI signal is usually obtained by applying a short burst of carefully calibrated ultra-high frequency electric current through a wire pathway — also known as a coil — surrounding the patient. In turn, this current produces a high-frequency magnetic field that stimulates hydrogen found in water or fat in the patient, causing it to "ring."
The ring is detected by measuring the voltage it induces in the coil. But as the strength of the magnetic field increases, the coil must split into an array of smaller coils. This creates difficulties as interactions among the coils change currents and destroy calibrations.
By monitoring the currents — and "feeding them back" for comparison with the desired calibrated values — errors can be detected and automatically corrected. This technique of "negative feedback" has been used in audio electronics since 1928, but its application to MRI technology where frequencies are ultra-high is difficult.
The medical imaging project between NRC and the CEA will try to use a technique called “Cartesian feedback” to overcome the difficulties and thereby greatly reduce the destructive effects of the interactions.
The goal for medical imaging experts at NRC and CEA is to improve MRI technology, giving researchers the best possible tool to help identify neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
About the Memorandum of Understanding between NRC and CEA
This is the second project under an NRC-CEA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which was signed in Ottawa in July 2008 and announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the visit of French Prime Minister François Fillon to Canada.
The Memorandum of Understanding follows the recently ratified Canada-France Economic Agenda, which acknowledges the intention of the two countries to work together in areas related to science, technology and innovation.
This agreement brings together some of the world’s most talented scientists to develop innovative technologies that will benefit all Canadians, including advanced medical imaging techniques to help with the early detection of Alzheimer’s, eco-energy innovations such as fuel cells and biomass conversion, and attosecond laser technology.
The research has the potential to uncover revolutionary advances in materials science, medical diagnostics, ultra-high bandwidth telecommunications, and quantum information.
The first agreement under the NRC-CEA Memorandum of Understanding was signed in January 2009. The project will see the development of complementary techniques for exploring the world of electrons and molecules on the attosecond time scale. This cutting-edge research provides the ultimate window into what's happening at the molecular level and helps scientists study the fastest processes in atomic and molecular physics.
