Programme: Clinical application of next-generation brain magnetic resonance elastography for neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours

As anti-aging drugs for neurodegenerative brain diseases and brain cancer become more widely available, the importance of early detection of the diseases in time to be able to slow down disease progression as effectively as possible becomes even more important. MR-Elastography (MRE) is already used to diagnose liver diseases but its complexity has so far hindered its clinical use for the diagnosis of brain diseases. The main goal of this multidisciplinary programme is to enable the implementation of MRE also for the brain and evaluate its clinical utility in neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of cognitive impairment/dementia and currently affects 120 000 people in Sweden. Parkinson’s disease is our second most common neurological disease and an estimated 15 000 people suffer from MS in the country. In addition, over 1,100 people are affected by brain tumours every year.  

The project covers MRE technology from image acquisition and analysis to its use and evaluation in clinical studies. The ultimate goal is to enable clinical implementation in Region Stockholm within five years, thus contributing to better treatment for patients.

The programme Clinical Application of Next Generation Brain Magnetic Resonance Elastography for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Brain Tumours is led by Rodrigo Moreno, KTH and Tobias Granberg, KI. Rodrigo Moreno is Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems at KTH. Tobias Granberg, is Senior Lecturer at the Division of Clinical Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet.

The programme was approved by the MedTechLab board in October 2023 and will run for five years, starting in January 2024.