A milestone for neuropsychiatric research in Mannheim: The Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI) now has a new, state-of-the-art brain imaging device. The 7-tesla magnetic resonance tomograph (MRT) provides unprecedented resolution in imaging the structures and functions of the human brain. The aim is to gain an even better understanding of the causes and mechanisms of mental illnesses and to develop new, individualized treatment approaches on this basis. The acquisition was made possible by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.
A central research approach at the ZI is to investigate the effectiveness of new therapies using functional biochemical and structural imaging methods. By visualizing brain functions, psychiatric and psychological therapy research can focus on essential aspects of diseases at the level of nerve cells. Information processing disorders often become visible at the neuronal level, even if these processes have not yet manifested themselves in behavior or are no longer distinguishable there. Using modern mathematical methods, these markers can be tested for their usefulness in therapeutic research and then applied.
Decisive advantages for therapeutic research
"In the case of new therapies in particular, specific effects in the affected brain systems can be measured and described in the brain," says Prof. Dr. Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, CEO of the ZI. "This makes it possible to make statements for personalized medicine, which is particularly urgent in this field because psychiatric diagnoses do not sufficiently differentiate between subgroups of patients that are relevant for treatment." sufficiently differentiate between subgroups of patients that are relevant for treatment."
The 7-tesla Magnetom Terra.X MRI scanner from Siemens Healthineers is capable of imaging not only fine brain structures, but also activity and metabolic processes with unprecedented precision. In therapeutic research, for example, the presence and distribution of molecules in the brain - such as new drugs - can be measured directly. At the same time, their effects on brain function can be visualized. High-resolution imaging is an important advantage, especially for psychiatric therapies, which often affect very small areas of the brain. "We are very grateful to the Klaus Tschira Foundation for enabling us to continue our ambitious research program with the necessary infrastructure," emphasizes Meyer-Lindenberg.
Part of the unique ZIPP
The new device is the world's first 7-tesla Magnetom Terra.X MRI scanner from Siemens Healthineers with patient certification in psychiatry. It will be part of the Center for Innovative Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Research (ZIPP), which will open in 2019 in the therapy building in J 5, where a comprehensive research infrastructure is directly connected to the clinical rooms. The short distances make it possible to conduct research with critically ill patients. The ZIPP will not only be used by researchers from the ZI, but is also a central component of the newly founded, nationwide German Center for Mental Health.
20 tons are floating helium-cooled through the air
Like all MRI machines, the 7-Tesla MRI requires special structural accommodations. When the ZIPP was planned, the necessary space was provided in the basement of the therapy building. The superconducting magnet, which weighs about 20 tons, has now been brought into the building in J 5 through an opening in the ceiling. At this point, the magnet is already being cooled with liquid helium, but is not yet ready for use. The commissioning work will be completed by the end of October, so that the technical introduction for the participating scientists can begin in early November.
Imaging research at the ZI - always pioneering work
In the mid-1990s, the CIMH was one of the first institutes to install an MRI scanner for diagnostics and neuropsychiatric research. This meant that the ZI was already active in the pioneering days of metabolic and functional imaging. Since 1998, the MRI has been used exclusively for human brain research. The replacement of the 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner (2005) and the addition of a second 3 Tesla scanner (2009) created the conditions for studies of social interaction. Scientists at the ZI connected the two MRI scanners to simultaneously measure the brain activity of two people interacting with each other or working together to solve a task. Since 2008, magnetic resonance imaging has also been used in animal research. The brains of rats and mice, which are much smaller than those of humans, require much stronger magnetic fields (9.4 Tesla) for imaging. Anatomy, function and biochemistry are also studied here. For molecular imaging, the ZI has also installed a combined positron emission tomograph/magnetic resonance tomograph (PET-MRI).
Original press release: ZI Mannheim
