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Diffusion MRI enables insights into brain structure at different anatomical length scales. Although of its relative coarse millimetre image resolution it can provide a direct insight into the brain network via tractography. However, the microstructural environment such as axons can only be observed indirectly from a combination of the MRI sequence and biophysical modelling. Validation allows us to questioning the MRI sequence-biophysical modelling framework and its results that are based on assumptions on what we believe to be the ground truth. In this lecture, I will first discuss if it is possible simply by changing key sequence parameters of dMRI (b-value, directions and image resolution) to improve structural connectivity (SC) compared with tracers? Then, I will discuss axon diameter estimation with diffusion MRI, and the validation challenges we have to understand its observed deviation between the ground truth of today being 2D validation methods. [more]

I will talk about collaborative work between University College London and the University of Nottingham to use optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) for human brain imaging. These sensors have comparable sensitivity to current cryogenic devices but do not require cooling. This means that the sensor array can be worn (rather than climbed into) and the smaller separation between sensor and brain means optimal (and improved) signal to noise ratio in all subject cohorts. I will talk about our initial modelling and experimental work with these new sensors. One of the exciting advances has been to keep these arrays operational during head-movement through a static magnetic field. This has opened up many new clinical and neuroscientific possibilities and I will talk about some of our experiences with these new paradigms. [more]

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Elmar Laistler graduated in Physics at Vienna University of Technology, Austria, in 2005 and pursued his PhD at University of Paris South and the Medical University of Vienna, receiving his PhD degree from Vienna University of Technology in 2011. During the last year of his thesis, he founded the Radio Frequency Lab at the Medical University, has worked as a guest researcher at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Berlin, and has since gathered a team of 8 people. His research focus lies on ultra-high field MR instrumentation, especially non-standard RF coil & simulation concepts, as well as RF safety for parallel transmission. [more]