Magnetic Resonance Imaging: What is it all about?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, also known as MRI, is one of the most common physiological measures used today. Essentially, all it does is record the responses of your body. In recent years, the MRI has become an increasingly important tool for researchers in behavioral neuroscience. In essence, an MRI provides an image of the brain structure of an individual. What this does is it allows scientists and doctors to compare and contrast the brain structure of individuals with a particular condition (i.e., depression, dissociative identity disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) with the brain structure of those without aforesaid conditions.

For years the computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan has been the norm when wanting to see inside the body. CAT scans are now being replaced by magnetic resonance imaging. The images provided by MRI of the interior of the brain are frequently sharper because of its superior ability to differentiate between subtle variations of soft tissue. In addition, the MRI procedure is normally far less complicated to administer, and it does not subject the patient to ionizing radiation.  That being said, how does it work? MRI involves the precise measurement of variation in magnetic fields that are caused by the varying amounts of water content of various organs and parts of organs. In this way, the anatomical structure of a cross section at any given plane through an organ, such as the brain, can be computer and graphically depicted with astonishing structural differentiation and clarity.
 
Magnetic resonance imaging thus makes possible, by noninvasive means, a visualization of all but the most minute abnormalities of brain structure. It has been particularly useful in confirming degenerative brain processes, such as Alzheimer’s. Therefore, MRI studies have considerable potential to illuminate the contribution of brain anomalies to what would be called “nonorganic” psychoses such as schizophrenia.