Clinical MRI magnet strength might not yet have peaked. Chinese researchers are looking to develop a 14-tesla scanner.
According to a report published online December 9 in the South China Morning Post, the technology might be strong enough to observe the structure and activities of every neuron in a living human brain and improve research into neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
The design and development of the ultrahigh-field technology are expected to take at least five years, according to the article, and likely could face technical challenges and rising costs along the way.
Researchers also acknowledged that safety is a priority, adding that preclinical animal trials would be conducted to ensure there are no health risks before a human patient would undergo a 14-tesla scan.
