Simon Fraser University鈥檚 ImageTech Lab at Surrey Memorial Hospital has acquired new technology that will help advance brain research and improve our knowledge of brain injuries and disease.
The newly installed TRIUX鈩� neo will help researchers access the latest high-density magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology.The MEG is being used with the lab鈥檚 3T whole-body high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), making it the first of its kind in Western Canada to house both technologies.
This technology furthers the lab鈥檚 ability to 鈥渃arry out adult and pediatric scans with advanced capabilities,鈥� notes a news release from SFU Thursday (Oct 5).
鈥淗aving access to the latest MEG technologies offers unparalleled opportunities to watch the brain in action and empowers health researchers to make significant advances in the treatment of serious brain disorders and diseases,鈥� Dugan O鈥橬eil, SFU鈥檚 vice-president research, stated in a news release from SFU Thursday (Oct. 5).
The highly sensitive technology can provide a direct measure of brain activity.
鈥淭he new MEG offers the most precise information currently available for functional imaging children and adults, giving researchers new opportunities to study brain disorders and diseases, including brain injuries and tumors, epilepsy, autism, mental illness and more, including an ongoing national longitudinal study on Alzheimer鈥檚 disease,鈥� notes a news release from SFU Thursday (Oct 5).
Researchers from SFU鈥檚 Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (INN) already benefit from the new MEG technology, stated INN director Randy McIntosh.
鈥淭he new technology will be used alongside the MRI to draw baseline data that measure brain function and structure to better understand genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that impact the onset, progression and symptoms of dementia,鈥� McIntosh said.
SFU ImageTech Lab, is a 鈥渨orld-class clinical research facility鈥� according to a news release from SFU, was unveiled by SFU and Fraser Health in September 2018.
A key feature of the MEG is its internal helium recyclers. This significantly reduces costs and supply sources and aligns with SFU鈥檚 sustainability goals. 鈥淢EGIN鈥檚 new model eliminates the need to refill helium by circulating it in a closed cycle,鈥� stated in a news release from SFU Thursday (Oct. 5).
-With files from Lauren Collins
