MRI: Like the Invention of the Telescope

Technology Review has a feature on brain imaging techniques that could improve the way doctors diagnose and treat psychiatric ailments. Part I is online today: Finding Bipolar Disorder with MRI

Part 2 has some information on MRI spectroscopy, a new technique.

Part 3: Scientists use MRI to detect brain abnormalities in premature infants

The feature looks to be a good overview of MRI and its impact on brain science. Although MRI technology is now about 15 years old, it is only now--with the recent introduction of fMRI--beginning to revolutionize the field. One telling quote:

MRI has become, says Robert Desimone, director of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, "the most powerful tool for studying the human brain. I liken it to the invention of the telescope for astronomers." Desimone notes that the arrival of the telescope did not immediately revolutionize the scientific understanding of the universe. That took time, as researchers learned how to use their new tool.