Future of Neurology & Technology: Neuroimaging Made Accessible Using Low-Field, Portable MRI

Overview

Journal Neurology

Specialty Neurology

Date 2023 Jan 31

PMID 36720639

Authors

Nethra R Parasuram

Anna L Crawford

Mercy H Mazurek

Isha R Chavva

Rachel Beekman

Emily J Gilmore

Nils H Petersen

Seyedmehdi Payabvash

Gordon Sze

Juan Eugenio Iglesias

Sacit B Omay

Charles Matouk

Erin E Longbrake

Adam de Havenon

Steven J Schiff

Matthew S Rosen

W Taylor Kimberly

Kevin N Sheth

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In the 20th century, the advent of neuroimaging dramatically altered the field of neurologic care. However, despite iterative advances since the invention of CT and MRI, little progress has been made to bring MR neuroimaging to the point of care. Recently, the emergence of a low-field (<1 T) portable MRI (pMRI) is setting the stage to revolutionize the landscape of accessible neuroimaging. Users can transport the pMRI into a variety of locations, using a standard 110-220 V wall outlet. In this article, we discuss current applications for pMRI, including in the acute and critical care settings, the barriers to broad implementation, and future opportunities.

Citing Articles

Portable ultra-low-field MRI for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: Case studies, sensitivity, and potential applications.

Okar S, Kawatra K, Thommana A, Vultorius D, Nair G, Gaitan M J Neurol. 2025; 272(3):193.

PMID: 39932567 PMC: 11814002. DOI: 10.1007/s00415-025-12938-z.

Learning to build low-field MRIs for remote northern communities.

Sarty G, Vidarsson L, Hansen C, Corrigal K, Sutherland L, Jamieson M Front Neuroimaging. 2025; 3:1521517.

PMID: 39898014 PMC: 11782269. DOI: 10.3389/fnimg.2024.1521517.

The Need for IRB Leadership to Address the New Ethical Challenges of Research with Highly Portable Neuroimaging Technologies.

Comeau D, Silverman B, Alborzi Avanaki M, Wolf S J Law Med Ethics. 2025; 52(4):840-850.

PMID: 39885756 PMC: 11798669. DOI: 10.1017/jme.2024.156.

High-Field-Blinded Assessment of Portable Ultra-Low-Field Brain MRI for Multiple Sclerosis.

Okar S, Nair G, Kawatra K, Thommana A, Donnay C, Gaitan M J Neuroimaging. 2025; 35(1):e70005.

PMID: 39815369 PMC: 11735652. DOI: 10.1111/jon.70005.

Proof of concept: Portable ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of epileptogenic brain pathologies.

Bauer T, Olbrich S, Groteklaes A, Lehnen N, Zidan M, Lange A Epilepsia. 2024; 65(12):3607-3618.

PMID: 39470733 PMC: 11647431. DOI: 10.1111/epi.18171.

References

Yuen M, Prabhat A, Mazurek M, Chavva I, Crawford A, Cahn B . Portable, low-field magnetic resonance imaging enables highly accessible and dynamic bedside evaluation of ischemic stroke. Sci Adv. 2022; 8(16):eabm3952. PMC: 9020661. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm3952. View

Turpin J, Unadkat P, Thomas J, Kleiner N, Khazanehdari S, Wanchoo S . Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging for ICU Patients. Crit Care Explor. 2020; 2(12):e0306. PMC: 7769347. DOI: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000306. View

Mazurek M, Cahn B, Yuen M, Prabhat A, Chavva I, Shah J . Portable, bedside, low-field magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of intracerebral hemorrhage. Nat Commun. 2021; 12(1):5119. PMC: 8387402. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25441-6. View

Deoni S, Bruchhage M, Beauchemin J, Volpe A, DSa V, Huentelman M . Accessible pediatric neuroimaging using a low field strength MRI scanner. Neuroimage. 2021; 238:118273. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118273. View

Algethamy H, Alzawahmah M, Young G, Mirsattari S . Added Value of MRI over CT of the Brain in Intensive Care Unit Patients. Can J Neurol Sci. 2015; 42(5):324-32. DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2015.52. View

Sheth K, Yuen M, Mazurek M, Cahn B, Prabhat A, Salehi S . Bedside detection of intracranial midline shift using portable magnetic resonance imaging. Sci Rep. 2022; 12(1):67. PMC: 8742125. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03892-7. View

Lovell M, Mudaliar M, Klineberg P . Intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: complications and difficulties. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2001; 29(4):400-5. DOI: 10.1177/0310057X0102900412. View

Hoeffner E, Mukherji S, Srinivasan A, Quint D . Neuroradiology back to the future: brain imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2011; 33(1):5-11. PMC: 7966158. DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A2936. View

Zimmerman R, Bilaniuk L, Hackney D, GOLDBERG H, Grossman R . Head injury: early results of comparing CT and high-field MR. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1986; 147(6):1215-22. DOI: 10.2214/ajr.147.6.1215. View

10.

Sheth K, Mazurek M, Yuen M, Cahn B, Shah J, Ward A . Assessment of Brain Injury Using Portable, Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging at the Bedside of Critically Ill Patients. JAMA Neurol. 2020; . PMC: 7489395. DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.3263. View

11.

Sarracanie M, Lapierre C, Salameh N, Waddington D, Witzel T, Rosen M . Low-Cost High-Performance MRI. Sci Rep. 2015; 5:15177. PMC: 4606787. DOI: 10.1038/srep15177. View

12.

Prabhat A, Crawford A, Mazurek M, Yuen M, Chavva I, Ward A . Methodology for Low-Field, Portable Magnetic Resonance Neuroimaging at the Bedside. Front Neurol. 2021; 12:760321. PMC: 8703196. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.760321. View

13.

Brenner D, Hricak H . Radiation exposure from medical imaging: time to regulate?. JAMA. 2010; 304(2):208-9. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2010.973. View