Magnetic Resonance Imaging Core Facility

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows for non-invasive visualization of organs and tissue and their anatomical and functional characterization. IDIBAPS MRI Core Facility provides services for:

1. MRI acquisition in humans, small animals or tissue specimens.
2. Computational image processing.
3. Advisory service on MRI techniques.
4. Training on MRI acquisition and/or processing.

It has two MRI scanners:

• Clinical 3Tesla MRI scanner for research in humans (patients and controls), equipped with different coils for brain imaging. Different equipment for task-based functional MRI (as googles, speakers, button boxes) are also available.
• Preclinical 7Tesla MRI scanner for small animal and tissue samples, with specific coils for mouse and rat. It counts with an anesthesia system by inhalation and animal monitoring system. Animal housing and experimental laboratory for simple procedures is annex to the facility.

The facility counts with an image laboratory with specific computer equipment and a team of imaging scientists specialized in research and development of analysis algorithms adapted to each project. This team also supports the choice of the appropriate imaging protocol, and set-up new acquisition protocols if needed.

Advisory service is also provided covering any stage of the project: from project conception to the results discussion and interpretation.