New £3.5 million brain scanners arrive at the University of York
Posted on 28 January 2005
The first is a £1.1 million MagnetoEncephaloGraphic (MEG) scanner, the first of its kind in Europe, which will provide a non-invasive way of mapping the magnetic fields created by electrical activity in the brain.
The second, a £2.4 million high field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine will arrive tomorrow (29 January 2005) at the centre on York Science Park.
The MEG scanner is located in a room constructed of specially developed alloys to exclude all background magnetic fields. Its use in research is connected with perception, language, memory, emotion and motor tasks, and will be used by staff and students in the University's Department of Psychology, recognised as one of the two best psychology centres in the country.
York NeuroImaging Centre is a Department of Psychology initiative, in partnership with the University's departments of Chemistry, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Health Sciences and Physics as well as the Hull York Medical School (HYMS).
The MEG scanner can also be used to locate abnormal brain activity associated with conditions such as epilepsy, and its design allows it to be used in all age groups. The MEG device, purchased by the University of York from 4D Neuroimaging in California, will form the focus of an international Centre for studying brain development.
Dr Barry Wright, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Lime Trees Child and Family Unit in York, said:"The MEG scanner is non-invasive and, so as far as we know, is safe for children. Since research in children using scanners has been hampered by the ethics of using X-Rays or other electromagnetic fields on children, this opens up new opportunities.
The unique combination of these particular MRI and Meg scanners in one site will provide unparalleled facilities for the study of the human brain
Professor Gary Green
"We will be able to localise which parts of the brain are electrically active as children perform various tasks. Alongside other excellent research experts and facilities in York, we could begin to better understand a range of disorders.
"There are clear clinical areas where MEG will be helpful. For example it could be used to find focuses for epilepsy and help in the planning of treatment, or to explore brain damage and monitor recovery after head injury."
The 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner being delivered tomorrow (Saturday, 29 January, 2005), has twice the power of a typical hospital device allowing high resolution structural and chemical investigations of the whole body as well as studies of brain function. The 12-ton scanner from GE Medical Systems will be craned in to the York Neuroimaging Centre, behind at the Biocentre in York Science Park at 9.30am.
Professor Gary Green, Director of the York Neuroimaging Centre, said "The unique combination of these particular MRI and Meg scanners in one site will provide unparalleled facilities for the study of the human brain in both health and disease. Research programmes for studies of autism, epilepsy, dementia and stroke are all planned and the Centre is actively encouraging collaborative projects with the local and regional NHS."
Professor Green added: "I'm keen on engagement with the public. We want to excite young people about this. They will be able to see inside the brain in the imaging area and we have put windows in the room which houses the scanners so that people can see science in action."
The centre will also provide free accommodation for meetings of patient support groups such as Alzheimer's Epilepsy and Autism.
Managing Director of York Science Park (IC) Ltd, Susanne Walker, said: "We look forward to the working with the York NeuroImaging Centre team and supporting them in every way we can."
Notes to editors:
- York NeuroImaging Centre is the latest of nearly 20 spin-out companies established by the University of York.
- York Science Park is a 21-acre business park linked to the University of York and housing more than 75 companies. With more than 100 000 sq ft of specialist facilities, it is the first UK Science Park to offer dedicated IT, bio and knowledge based incubation space supporting a wide range of innovative companies in fields including pharmaceuticals, life sciences, computer science, electronics and healthcare. www.yorksciencepark.co.uk
- The £5.2 million York NeuroImaging Centre has been established at York Science Park's Biocentre with the help of a £1.2 million grant from the Wolfson Foundation.