Democratising Neuroimaging Research with MRI

Our mission is to democratise MRI-based neuroimaging for all communities regardless of economic status. Neuroimaging research is crucial for understanding the brain in health and disease. One key approach, microstructural MRI, detects changes in cellular architecture, (e.g., myelination, axonal density), essential for studying brain development, ageing, and neurological/psychiatric disorders. To ensure its benefits reach everyone, it must be conducted in diverse populations by local researchers. We will develop high-quality, affordable, and sustainable mobile low-field MRI to take MRI-based neuroimaging research to regions where it is unavailable through: 1. Developing sustainable low-cost, low-field MRI hardware designed specifically for neuroimaging research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 2. Maximising image quality by combining novel acquisition, post-processing and AI-based image reconstruction techniques, 3. Creating an efficient data-handling infrastructure, incorporating satellite-based internet access and portable data-storage devices, facilitating robust data transfer and integration in areas with unreliable connectivity, 4. Harmonising MRI data collection and processing across systems with different field strengths and performance characteristics (including our own scanner design), enabling large-scale, multi-centre imaging studies in LMICs, 5. Demonstrating effectiveness through proof-of-feasibility studies at three African sites. Ultimately our work will transform access to research-standard MRI and foster sustainable neuroimaging research in resource-limited countries.