# Upgrade of a 9.4T MRI Animal Scanner

> **NIH NIH S10** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $600,000

## Abstract

Summary / Abstract
This is an application for funding to upgrade an existing 9.4 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and
spectroscopy (MRS) system that has been in constant use for 14 years at Vanderbilt University for studies of
non-human primates and larger rodents. The upgrade (a replacement console, including main computer,
spectrometer and RF modules, RF and gradient amplifiers but not the magnet or gradient coils) is required (a)
because after 14 years the spectrometer and electronics are no longer state-of-the-art and their performance
limits ongoing research projects but also (b) the manufacturer (Agilent) is no longer (since October 2013) in the
business of NMR or MRI, and will not provide upgrades, maintain hardware or support the system after 2020.
The upgrade will ensure the continuing productivity of this important resource, and at the same time provide
enhanced capabilities. This device will be used by at least 14 established investigators, all of whom are already
experienced users of the 9.4T scanner, in a variety of research applications and training programs currently
supported by 19 major grants. These research projects fall into 4 main categories: (1) MRI physics, the
development of novel imaging biomarkers at high field, and of a greater understanding of the nature of the
information provided, along with applications in small animals: (2) Cancer, and the development and
applications of MRI and MRS for the study of tumor biology in animal models, including the development of
more sensitive ways to assess novel treatments and treatment response: (3) Neuroscience, and the
application of structural and functional MRI to studies of the architecture and functional organization of the
brain and spine in non-human primates, as well as the action of novel pharmaceuticals: (4) Other applications
including metabolic and infectious disorders, and the applications of advanced MR methods to studies of
physiology and biochemistry in vivo. The projects of the 7 Major Users would require approximately 73% use of
the instrument (1760 hours/yr) , the 7 Minor Users would require about 10% of the time, and the remaining
time available would be available for exploratory research and new directions. Each of the projects will benefit
from the advantages of imaging at 9.4T, 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 will be housed and managed within the Vanderbilt University
Institute of Imaging Science, and will remain a primary research resource for a large number of experienced
imaging scientists and trainees. The instrument will be supported by an established group of MRI experts and
support staff. A comprehensive plan has been developed for the financial and technical support of the scanner
as well as for its management and use, and the system is assured of strong insti...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9940370
- **Project number:** 1S10OD025085-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** John C Gore
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $600,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2022-10-13

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9940370

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9940370, Upgrade of a 9.4T MRI Animal Scanner (1S10OD025085-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9940370. Licensed CC0.

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