AuntMinnie.com MRI Insider

Dear AuntMinnie MRI Insider,

Explorers have been searching for the proverbial Fountain of Youth for hundreds of years, to no avail. But immortality aside, what if we could stay lucid and active into very old age? Turns out there are some individuals -- called "superagers" -- who appear to do just that.

In this edition of our MRI Insider, we're highlighting findings from a team of Spanish researchers that explores how the brains of superagers differ from those of their peers. (Hint: It's probably a mixture of genetics, staying active -- and this may surprise you -- perhaps having a musical background, either amateur or professional!)

Once you've read the exclusive, check out our interview with German researcher Laurenz Lammer of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig on how functional MRI shows the effect of social isolation on brain health. Then take a look at our articles about how MRI biomarker data can help predict breast cancer treatment response, how the modality improves outcomes in patients suspected of stroke, and how presurgical MRI helps predict cancer recurrence after prostatectomy.

We're also highlighting a Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute study on how imaging interpretation rates by nonphysician practitioners are rising -- MRI and CT exams by 21% -- and why it's concerning some policy experts, as well as research that explores whether primary care providers are ordering musculoskeletal imaging appropriately.

Finally, check out our coverage of the AHRA meeting held last week in Indianapolis, particularly a presentation on how radiology managers can lead safety efforts in the MRI suite.

Our MRI Community keeps you current on the modality's cutting edges, and we invite you to visit it regularly. As always, if you have MRI topics you'd like us to consider, please contact me.