Michael Noseworthy knows that research is only as valuable as the data it uses - that's why he's leading a study to ensure researchers in Hamilton can make apples-to-apples comparisons between imaging results from scanners at different centres in the city.
"This kind of research is important because combining data from different locations can help make studies bigger and more useful, showing us more about how the brain works," says Noseworthy, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate co-chair of research in the Department of Medical Imaging at McMaster University. "This is where the field is trending, as researchers aim to create larger, more collaborative networks for understanding the brain."
Noseworthy is one of many researchers tackling some of our greatest health challenges by leveraging the cutting-edge technology at the Centre for Integrated and Advanced Medical Imaging (CIAMI). The centre, a collaboration between McMaster, Mohawk College, and affiliated academic hospital systems (Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton), opened in August 2023 for educational training, research, and MRI clinical use. It is located at the Institute of Applied Health Sciences building on the university's main campus.
CIAMI is designed to elevate medical imaging in both practical and academic contexts, and provides collaborative opportunities for researchers across diverse fields. By providing access to state-of-the-art equipment, CIAMI empowers researchers to pursue research that has the potential to transform our understanding of how to diagnose and treat patients, leading to better outcomes.
Like Noseworthy, Professor Sonia Anand is leveraging the advanced technology at CIAMI in her research, with the goal of learning more about cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic health. She is leading the Canadian Alliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds (CAHHM) study, a prospective cohort study designed to investigate the impact of community level factors, individual health behaviours, and access to health services, on cognitive function, subclinical vascular disease, fat distribution, and the development of chronic diseases among adults living in Canada.
"CIAMI's advanced MRI technology allows my team to comprehensively assess the heart, brain, and abdomen of our research participants in unparalleled detail," says Anand. "Having this state-of-the-art facility right on campus is incredibly convenient, streamlining our work and enabling us to efficiently gather the high-quality imaging data - along with space for blood sampling and physical measurement - needed to conduct cutting-edge studies in cardiovascular and neurological health."
Researchers at McMaster and Mohawk can join the likes of Noseworthy and Anand in using CIAMI's advanced imaging capabilities to unravel complex health phenomena and shape patient care strategies. The MRI is available for booking for investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored studies, and all scans are assisted by a certified MRI technologist.
Better yet, the GE Healthcare (GEHC) Research Fund provides researchers like Noseworthy and his team access to financial support for innovative imaging projects.
"CIAMI is a game-changer for researchers like me, giving us the tools and funding to pursue big ideas," says Noseworthy. "This is our opportunity to harness advanced imaging capabilities, think bigger, and drive discoveries that will transform patient care and shape the future of medical research."
This article, written by Jennifer Stranges, is being shared with permission from McMaster University's Faculty of Health Sciences. It is also available on McMaster's website.
