# Upgrade and Refurbishment of a 7T MRI Scanner for Research

> **NIH NIH S10** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $2,000,000

## Abstract

Abstract
 This is an application to upgrade a 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS)
system at Vanderbilt University that has been used for human subjects and large animal research for the past
13+ years. The upgrade (a replacement console, including computers, spectrometer and RF modules) is
required (a) because after 13 years the spectrometer and electronics are no longer state-of-the-art and their
performance limits ongoing research projects, and (b) the manufacturer (Philips) has developed new and
improved hardware with more advanced digital technology that matches their main 3T products, and they will
not be able to provide upgrades, maintenance or adequate support for the current system in the future. The
upgrade will ensure the continuing productivity of this important resource, and at the same time provide
enhanced capabilities. In the past 3 years alone the device has been used by over 20 different investigators
across 47 projects. We have contributed over 75 publications to the literature in different areas. The high field
system is used for research in 5 primary areas: [1] novel technical developments of imaging and spectroscopic
methods for use at ultra-high fields; [2] studies of brain structure, organization and function in human subjects,
for basic neuroscience and clinical applications in neurology, psychiatry and neurosurgery; [3] studies of the
function, structure and disorders of the spine; [4] studies of brain structure and function in large non-human
primates, including novel methods of neuromodulation; [5] imaging of sodium and multinuclear MRS studies of
biochemistry and metabolism in vivo, with applications in metabolic disorders.
 The 7T MRI scanner at Vanderbilt is our flagship research platform. It was purchased for $7 million in 2006
when it was one of the first 10 such systems in the world. It is housed in 400 tons of steel that cost an
additional $1 million. Since installation it has received several upgrades, including the addition of an 8 channel
multi-transmitter system, and has worked well with relatively little down time. The projects of the 16 Major
Users (33 different grants) would require approximately 74% use of the instrument (1480 hours/yr), the 5 Minor
Users (7 grants) would require about 6% of the time, and the remaining time would be available for exploratory
research and new directions. Each of the projects will benefit from the advantages of imaging at 7T, including
high signal to noise ratio (SNR), high spatial resolution, high spectral dispersion for CEST and MRS, and high
sensitivity for detecting changes caused by specific contrast mechanisms such as BOLD. The scanner is
housed within the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, has appropriate support spaces, and is
used and supported by an established group of MRI experts and staff. A comprehensive plan has been
developed for the financial and technical support of the scanner as well as for its management and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176874
- **Project number:** 1S10OD030389-01
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** John C Gore
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $2,000,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176874

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176874, Upgrade and Refurbishment of a 7T MRI Scanner for Research (1S10OD030389-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176874. Licensed CC0.

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