Disorders of consciousness (DoC) are a group of disorders that can occur after severe brain injury. DOC have been subdivided based on behavioural observations into: Coma, lacking any signs of wakefulness or awareness; the vegetative state, showing signs of wakefulness but lacking any signs of awareness; and the minimally conscious state, showing signs of wakefulness and infrequent and irregular signs of awareness. The so-called locked-in syndrome, a state where both wakefulness and awareness are intact, but no communication is possible due to a lack of muscle function, does not belong to the disorders of consciousness. However, it is difficult to distinguish the locked-in syndrome from DoC diagnostically, because consciousness can only be shown through consistent responses to a command and current methods for assessing consciousness rely on behavioural responses. Patients with locked-in syndrome might not be able to move voluntarily at all in the most severe cases. Behavioural assessment would then classify them as unaware. While this is an extreme and rare case, it illustrates the problem behavioural assessment poses. Such assessments are unable to distinguish the effects of impaired muscular control from impaired awareness, when either has reached an extreme level of severity. Brain damage that does not affect consciousness itself can nevertheless affect the results of the behavioural assessment of consciousness. It is then hardly surprising that the diagnosis of DoC is associated with a high level of uncertainty. The advantage of brain imaging methods is that they do not rely on the patients ability to produce a consistent behavioural response. There have therefore been efforts to use the brain imaging methods electroencephalography, positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to aid diagnosis of disorder of consciousness. PET and fMRI have successfully been used to identify regions of difference in some patients in a DoC. Task-based fMRI has been used to identify intact consciousness, using tasks that require explicit understanding of instructions and wilful modulation of brain activity, but no motor control. One of these tasks consists of periods where the participant imagines playing tennis alternated with periods of rest. The ability to follow this paradigm is evidence of consciousness, and a few patients with a diagnosis of DoC have been shown to be able to do this task. However, the tennis task requires high order processing of the tasks requirements and the majority of patients does not respond to this task. fMRI tasks that test sensory modalities instead of consciousness have been used to show retained brain function even in DoC patients that do not respond to the tennis task. In this work the tennis task and a battery of other tasks including tactile, visual and auditory stimulation, were studied on a group of DoC patients. It was found that none of the patients responded to the task of imagining playing tennis, but retained sensory function could be identified in three out of seven patients. This highlights a strength of fMRI, namely that it can identify retained brain function below the level that is necessary for consciousness. However, the results also show that more than half of the patients studied here, did not show retained brain activation during the fMRI scan. For any of the patients that did not show a response, this can be due to an actual lack of retained brain function, but it can also be due to limitations of the task-based fMRI analysis. The fMRI tasks only test one sensory function at a time, for a short time. Thus a visual fMRI task for example, can only provide information about areas of the brain, that are involved in visual processing. And when vigilance is fluctuating, retained brain function can remain undetected, if vigilance is low during the scan. Functional connectivity analysis is a method to study internal connections between brain areas that is not dependent on an external task. It models the brain as a network of interconnected regions and studies the characteristics of this network. Graph theory is a mathematical field that has found application on many other fields using network analysis, like social sciences, metabolic network modelling or gene network modelling. In fMRI analysis, graph theory has been used to study different phenomena and pathologies and global network properties have been shown reproducibly. The work presented here aims to develop new methods based in graph theory aiding the identification of residual brain integrity. To allow an assessment of the brain network topology and its use in the assessment of residual brain integrity, a novel method was designed based on a graph theoretical measure. The method, termed Cortical Hubs And Related network Topology (CHART) is a two stage procedure. The rst stage identifies statistically significant differences in functional connectivity between two groups, using a measure of the average connectivity of each voxel, the weighted global connectivity. The second stage highlights the topology of the networks associated with those differences. Two fMRI datasets, with different underlying tasks and pathologies were used to test the CHART method. The first dataset was acquired from a group of patients with severe depression. It contrasted the state of the brain before and after successful treatment with electroconvulsive therapy. In this patient group the CHART method was able to identify an area of hyperconnectivity in the depressed state, compared to the treated state. This area of hyperconnectivity was connected to areas that had priorly been shown to be overly connected in the depressed state. The second dataset consisted of DoC patients, that had been extensively assessed behaviourally. Half of the patients were diagnosed to be in a vegetative state, the other half was diagnosed to be in a minimally conscious state. The first stage of CHART identified several areas of difference based on the weighted global connectivity. The second stage highlighted that the observed global differences were due to an overall lack of extended functional connectivity in the vegetative state patients. The addition of a healthy control group in stage two allowed comparison not only between the two DoC groups, but also with the healthy group. In summary it was observed that the spatial extent of the connectivity seen in the minimally conscious group resembles the spatial extent of the connectivity seen in the healthy control group, while the spatial extent of connectivity observed in the vegetative state group was minimal, compared to both healthy and minimally conscious group. Thus the spatial extent of connectivity is a distinguishing property for the vegetative state group studied here. However the first stage of the CHART method is a group based method. In disorders of consciousness, where the underlying pathology is different from case to case, this concept is problematic. Finding a meaningful group of interest is difficult or impossible, because lesions differ in location and extent. Individual differences in connectivity can be expected to be large, and a generalisation of the CHART result might not lead to improved diagnosis for every patient. For diagnosis, the patients individual characteristics must be taken into account. An additional objective of this work was therefore to develop a method to compare a single patient to a group of controls. An approach based on regression modelling was tested but failed to provide the necessary statistical sensitivity to detect impaired connectivity. In conclusion the CHART method developed in this work provides insights into the functional connectivity of a group of DoC patients. To assist diagnosis, further development of a method to compare a single subject to a group of controls will be important.

Für Patienten mit fortgeschrittener Herzinsuffizienz ist die Herztransplantation die einzige kurative Therapieoption. Die akute Abstoßungsreaktion ist ein entscheidender Faktor der Mortalität nach Transplantation. Zur Früherkennung einer Abstoßungsreaktion gilt nach wie vor die Endomyokardbiopsie als Goldstandard. Diese stellt jedoch ein invasives Verfahren mit seltenen, aber potentiell schwerwiegenden Komplikationen dar. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die diagnostische Wertigkeit der kardialen Magnetresonanztomographie zur Detektion der Abstoßungsreaktion nach Herztransplantation untersucht. Als Referenz diente die Myokardbiopsie mit histologischer Beurteilung nach dem Schema der International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT). Insbesondere bei Kombination mehrerer Parameter konnte ein hoher negativ prädiktiver Wert zum Ausschluss einer akuten Abstoßungsreaktion erzielt werden. Dagegen waren Spezifität und positiv prädiktiver Wert zu gering, um eine Therapie-Änderung alleine auf Basis eines positiven MRT-Befundes zu rechtfertigen.

Despite many attempts to improve estimations based on ultrasound measures and volumes, the accurate prediction of birthweight hasremained elusive, particularly in relation to macrosomia.Now finally, after 7 years of dedicated research, we have managed to develop a rapid and precise, magnetic resonance imaging-basedtechnique, capable of accurately predicting birthweight, regardless of whether the estimations are performed, hours, days or even severalweeks prior to the actual birth.We believe that, once the already demonstrated advantages of the technique are confirmed in prospective, multi-centre studies, itwill become readily accessible for use in clinical practice and prove invaluable to clinicians as a reliable adjunct in many obstetricaldecision-making processes. / Doctorat en Sciences médicales (Médecine) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

O exercício físico aeróbio contínuo realizado por 6 meses ou mais promove aumento do volume encefálico em idosos saudáveis, porém evidências apontam que exercícios que envolvam maiores demandas de processos de atenção e memória e tenham presente na sua execução maior dificuldade motora (exercício com elevada complexidade da tarefa motora) também apresentam potencial para aumento do volume encefálico. Para investigar um possível efeito aditivo dos exercícios aeróbio e de elevada complexidade da tarefa motora, 45 idosos (66±3 anos), cognitivamente saudáveis (Mini exame estado mental 27±2) participaram de um ensaio clínico randomizado (registro brasileiro de ensaios clínicos RBR-8zjf6b) com 24 sessões (3 meses) de treinamento em dias não consecutivos. Estes foram randomizados em 3 grupos de exercício físico aeróbio, sendo: com baixa complexidade da tarefa motora (BCM), com elevada complexidade da tarefa motora (ECM) e com elevada complexidade da tarefa motora combinado com exergames (ECMEG). Avalições no momento inicial e após 12 semanas (3 meses) foram realizadas considerando variáveis de: (1) função cognitiva [volume encefálico (ressonância magnética); concentração do fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro - BDNF (amostra sanguínea); avaliações de função cognitiva (Memória - Teste de aprendizagem auditivoverbal de Rey - RAVLT, Função Executiva - Trail Making Test A e B (TMT-A e B), Velocidade de Processamento - Digit Symbol substituition; Cognição global - Avaliação Cognitiva de Montreal (MoCA) e bateria de avaliação frontal (FAB)]; (2) funcionalidade [Força de preensão manual, teste de sentar e levantar, Time Up and Go teste (TUG), Time Up and Go cognitive teste (TUGcog) e VO2 pico)]; e (3) parâmetros de marcha (número de passos, tempo, cadência, velocidade, comprimento da passada). Os resultados demonstram que, na análise de modelo misto não foram observados efeitos significantes (interação grupo x tempo) no desfecho primário - volume do lobo frontal (p= 0,23), bem como em nenhum dos desfechos secundários, o que significa que não há diferença entre os três tipos de intervenção. Porém, efeitos principais de tempo foram observados, nos desfechos: substância branca cerebelar lado direito (p =0,02), cerebelo total (p=0,01), cerebelo lado direito (p=0,01); BDNF (=<0,01); TMT-A (p=0,01), STROOP A (p=0,01), STROOP B (p=0,01), FAB (p=0,01); força de preensão manual (p=0,03), teste de sentar e levantar (p=0,01), TUG (p=0,01), TUGcog (p=0,01), VO2 pico (p=0,01); variáveis de marcha nas condições: a) caminhada tarefa simples [tempo (p = 0,02), cadência (p = 0,02) e velocidade (p = 0,04); b) caminhada tarefa dupla (palavras) [(tempo (p = 0,02), cadência (p = 0,01), velocidade (p = 0,01)] e c) caminhada tarefa dupla (cálculos) [tempo (p = 0,01), cálculos corretos (p = 0,01), cadência (p = 0,01) e velocidade (p = 0,04)], o que demonstra que apesar de não haver diferenças entre os três grupos, considerando os momentos pré e pós intervenção existem diferenças entre os tempos. Na análise de magnitude de efeito, observou-se TE sem que o IC tocasse o zero favor do grupo BCM em 10 variáveis, a favor do grupo ECM em 13 variáveis e do grupo ECMEG em 10 variáveis, sendo que no grupo ECMEG foi observado tendência de mudança nas variáveis de volume encefálico: substância cerebelar lado direito, cerebelo total e cerebelo lado direito. Desta forma, foi demonstrado que exercícios aeróbios com maiores níveis de complexidade da tarefa motora (ECM ou ECMEG) não se diferenciam do exercício de BCM quanto as mudanças proporcionadas à idosos, porém ambos os grupos melhoram as variáveis destacadas, com tendência a mudança no volume das estruturas encefálicas citadas a favor do grupo ECMEG / Continuous aerobic exercise performed for 6 months or more increases brain volume in healthy elderly, but evidence indicates that exercises involving greater demands of attention and memory processes and have in their execution more motor difficulty (exercise with high motor complexity - HCM) also have potential to increase brain volume. To investigate a possible additive effect of aerobic exercise and HCM, 45 cognitively healthy (MEEM 27 ± 2) older individuals (66 ± 3 years, participated in a 24- session (3 months) randomized clinical trial (Brazilian clinical trial registry RBR-8zjf6b) training on non-consecutive days. Older individuals were randomized into three groups of physical exercise, being: continuous aerobic exercise (low motor complexity - LMC), aerobic exercise with high motor completixy (HMC), and aerobic exercise with HMC performed while playing a exergame (Xbox Kinect) (HMCEG). Assessments at baseline and after 3 months were performed considering variables of: (1) Primary outcome: frontal lobe volume 2) Secondary outcomes: volume of 213 brain areas; BDNF concentration (blood sample); cognitive function (Memory - RAVLT test, Executive Function - Trail Making Test A and B, Processing Speed - Digit Symbol substitution; Cognitive Deficiency - Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA and Frontal evaluation battery (FAB); and gait parameters (number of steps, time, cadence, velocity, stride length). The results demonstrated no significant group x time interaction was observed in the primary outcome - frontal lobe volume (p = 0.23), as well as in other secondary outcomes, meaning that there were no differences between the three interventnion groups. However, main effects of time were observed in the following outcomes: right cerebellar white matter (p = 0.02), cerebellum total (p = 0.01), right cerebellum (p = 0.01), BDNF (p = 0.01); TMT-A (p = 0.01), STROOP A (p = 0.01), STROOP B (p = 0.01), FAB (p = 0.01); (p = 0.01), TUGcog (p = 0.01), VO2 peak (p = 0.01), hand grip strength (p = 0.03), sit to stand test (p= 0.01); gait variables in the conditions: a) simple task walking [time (p = 0.02), cadence (p = 0.02) and velocity (p = 0.04); b) double task walk (words) [time (p = 0.02), cadence (p = 0.01), velocity (p = (P = 0.01), rhythm (p = 0.01) and speed (p = 0.04)), demonstrating similar improvements between the interventions. In the effect size (ES) analyses, the LMC group had 10 variables in which the ES did not cross zero, the HMC group 13 variables, and the HMCEG group 10 variables. Specifically, the HMCEG group presented a likely higher effect on the changes in brain volume of the following areas: cerebellar substance on the right side, total cerebellum and cerebellum on the right side. Thus, all groups presented similar and positive effects on the assessed variables, but the HMCEG seemed to have a larger effect in important brain areas

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers. Despite enhanced understanding of the disease, the 5-year survival rate remains 8% due to the late stage of diagnosis and a lack of effective treatment options. Early detection of precancerous lesions, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), is a strategy to prevent pancreas cancer related death. Standard qualitative imaging assessment cannot reliably distinguish between benign and malignant branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs). A more consistent risk prediction method is needed to inform clinical decision making such that patients with benign cysts may be spared from unnecessary surgical resection. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a BD-IPMN malignancy risk prediction model which demonstrated strong potential on preoperative computed tomography (CT) images would show similar results on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: 19 pathologically proven BD-IPMN patients with preoperative contrast-enhanced CT and MRI and were included in the study. Five radiomics features were extracted from the portal-venous phase CT and MR images of the largest cyst. Associations between radiomics features extracted from CT and MR were assessed using Pearson correlations. RESULTS: Of the five radiomics features, average-weighted eccentricity (AWE) was most strongly correlated between imaging modalities in all patients (n=19, r=0.46, 95% CI=0.001-0.75, p=0.05), low-risk patients (r=0.63, 95% CI=0.09-0.88, p=0.028), and patients with a solid component or mural nodule (r=0.66, 95% CI=-0.32-0.96, p=0.15). However, when two outliers within the dataset were removed from analysis, AWE no longer correlated between MR and CT. None of the other radiomics features displayed significant correlations between the modalities. CONCLUSIONS: The CT-based risk prediction model cannot be applied to MR data suggesting that a new model should be created from MRI data alone. / 2021-06-17T00:00:00Z

Real-world human visual perception is superb, despite pervasive attentional capacity limitations that can severely impact behavioral performance. Long-term memory (LTM) is suggested to play a key role in efficiently deploying attentional resources; however, the nature of LTM-attention interactions remains poorly understood. Here, I present a series of behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigations of the mechanisms of LTM-guided visual attention in 139 healthy participants (18-34 years). In Experiment 1, I hypothesized that humans can use memory to guide spatial attention to multiple discrete locations that have been previously studied. Participants were able to simultaneously attend to more than one spatial location using an LTM cue in a novel change-detection behavioral paradigm also used in fMRI Experiments 2 and 4. Cortical networks associated with LTM and attention often interact competitively. In Experiment 2, I hypothesized that the cognitive control network supports cooperation between LTM and attention. Three posterior regions involved with cognitive control were more strongly recruited for LTM-guided attention than stimulus-guided attention: the posterior precuneus, posterior callosal sulcus, and lateral intraparietal sulcus. In Experiment 3, I hypothesized that regions identified in Experiment 2 are specifically activated for LTM-guided attention, not for LTM retrieval or stimulus-guided attention alone. This hypothesis was supported. Taken together, the results of Experiments 2 and 3 identify a cognitive control subnetwork specifically recruited for LTM-guided attention. Experiment 4 tested how LTM-guided attention affected spatial responsivity of maps within intraparietal sulcus. I hypothesized that left parietal maps would change their spatial responsivity due to the left lateralized effects of memory retrieval. During stimulus-guided attention, contralateral visuotopic maps in the right but not left intraparietal sulcus responded to the full visual field. In contrast, during LTM-guided attention, maps in both the left and right intraparietal sulcus responded to the full visual field, providing evidence for complementary forms of dynamic recruitment under different attentional conditions. Together, these results demonstrate that LTM-guided attention is supported by a parietal subnetwork within the cognitive control network and that internal attentional states influence the spatial specificity of visuotopically mapped regions in parietal cortex.

Titanium Dioxide - Phosphonate Assemblies as Medical Nanoprobes Ivan Řehoř PhD. Thesis Abstract: Multimodal imaging-therapeutic nanoprobe TiO2@RhdGd was prepared and successfully used for in- vitro and in-vivo cell tracking as well as for killing of cancer cells in-vitro. TiO2 nanoparticles, 12 nm in diameter, were used as a core for phosphonic acid modified functionalities, responsible for contrast in MRI and optical imaging. The phosphonic acid derivatives, used for surface modification, allows for grafting extraordinarily high loads of irreversibly adsorbed molecules of both types in one step. The prepared probe shows very high 1 H r1 relaxivity value as well as relaxivity density value, both crucial parameters for its use in MRI. The presence of fluorescent dye in its structure allows for its visualization by means of fluorescence microscopy. The applicability of the probe was studied, using three living systems - mesenchymal stem cells, cancer HeLa cells and T-lymphocytes. The probe did not exhibit toxicity in any of these systems and its long time storage in a lysosomal compartment was confirmed. Labeled cells were successfully visualized in-vitro by means of fluorescence microscopy and MRI. Consequent visualization of labeled cells in-vivo by means of fluorescence microscopy was also achieved....

Early brain development is characterized by rapid growth and perpetual reconfiguration, driven by a dynamic milieu of heterogeneous processes. Moreover, potent postnatal brain plasticity engenders increased vulnerability to environmental stimuli. However, little is known regarding the ontogeny and temporal manifestations of inter- and intra-regional functional connectivity that comprise functional brain networks. Recently, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) emerged as a promising non-invasive neuroinvestigative tool, measuring spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal at rest that reflect baseline neuronal activity. Its application has expanded to infant populations in the past decade, providing unprecedented insight into functional organization of the developing brain, as well as early biomarkers of abnormal/ disease states. However, rapid extension of the resting-state technique to infant populations leaves many methodological issues need to be resolved prior to standardization of the technique. The purpose of this thesis is to describe a protocol for intrinsic functional connectivity analysis, and extraction of resting-state networks in infants <12 months of age using the data-driven approach independent component analysis (ICA). To begin, we review the evolution of resting-state fMRI application in infant populations, including the biological premise for neural networks. Next, we present a protocol designed such that investigators without previous knowledge in the field can implement the analysis and reliably obtain viable results consistent with previous literature. Presented protocol provides detailed, albeit basic framework for RSN analysis, with interwoven discussion of basic theory behind each technique, as well as the rationale behind selecting parameters. The overarching goal is to catalyze efforts towards development of robust, infant-specific acquisition and preprocessing pipelines, as well as promote greater transparency by researchers regarding methods used. Finally, we review the literature, current methodological challenges and potential future directions for the field of infant resting-state fMRI.

Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) are the leading type of head injuries with appreciable risque of sequelae leading to functional and psychological deficits. Although mild traumatic brain injuries are frequently underdiagnosed by conventional imaging modalities, rapidly evolving techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveal subtle changes in white matter integrity as a result of head trauma and play an important role in refining diagnosis, therapeutic interventions and management of MTBI. In this dissertation we use diffusion tensor imaging to detect the microstructural changes induced by axonal injuries and to monitor their evolution during the recovery process. DTI data were previously acquired from 11 subjects, football players of age 19-23 years (median age 20 years). Three players had suffered a mild traumatic brain injury during the season and underwent scanning within 24 hours after the injury with follow-ups after one and two weeks. A set of diffusion indices, such as fractional anisotropy, axial, radial and mean diffusivity were derived from the diffusion tensor. Changes in diffusion indices in concussed subjects were analyzed based on two different approaches: whole brain analysis, using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and region of interest analysis (ROI). In both approaches we use a voxelwise analysis to examine group differences in diffusion indices between five controls and three concussed subjects for all DTI scans. Additional statistical analysis was performed between control groups consisting of five and three non-injured players. Both analyses demonstrated that the MTBI group reveals increase in fractional anisotropy and decreases in transversal and mean diffusivity in cortical and subcortical areas within 24 hours after the injury. / No changes were detected in TBSS analysis for the follow-up data sets. Furthermore, our ROI approach revealed multiples regions with significantly different voxels, non-uniformly distributed throughout the brain, for all diffusion indices in all three scans. Three of the diffusion indices fractional anisotropy, mean and transversal diffusivity showed higher vulnerability to head trauma in subcortical and cortical areas than in regions in the lower brain. Recovery of white matter pathways occured at different locations in the brain at one and two weeks after head trauma. Strong recovery was observed in mean and transversal diffusivity in subcortical areas that correspond to the corticospinal tract. No recovery was found for fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity in the same region. Also, decreases in fractional anisotropy and increases in transversal and axial diffusivity were observed in the spleninum of the corpus callosum. As voxelwise analysis performed on DTI data revealed white matter regions, which exhibit changes in diffusion parameters in the concussed group for all three scans, we conclude that diffusion tensor imaging is a powerful technique for early detection of axonal injuries and may serve as an important tool for monitoring microstructural changes during the recovery process. / by Angelica Hotiu. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi melhorar a relação sinal-ruído de um sistema de imagens por ressonância magnética nuclear (TORM 005), através do desenvolvimento de bobinas de recepção mais eficientes, de circuitos de sintonia balanceados, circuitos de desacoplamento de potência para as bobinas receptoras e da melhoria do ambiente eletromagnético no qual os transdutores trabalham. Para isso, houve necessidade de se modificar a blindagem eletromagnética interna ao TORM 005 e incorporar filtros nas linhas de sinal mais críticas para o sistema. Novas bobinas para imagem foram desenvolvidas, melhorando a relação sinal-ruído e permitindo a execução de exames clínicos de diversas anatomias com qualidade superior. Sistemas de sintonia balanceados para as bobinas foram estudados e implementados, garantindo uma redução nas perdas destas bobinas devido a presença de um paciente em seu interior e permitindo uma maior reprodutibilidade da sintonia delas quando um paciente é substituído por outro. Circuitos para proteção da entrada do receptor e para desacoplamento da bobina receptora durante os pulsos de RF na transmissão foram desenvolvidos, construídos e incorporados ao TORM 005. O conjunto destas implementações garantiram ao TORM 005 uma melhora na relação sinal-ruído, na confiabilidade de operação e na reprodutibilidade dos resultados e conseqüentemente uma melhor qualidade da imagem,, o que tem permitido o uso constante do aparelho para aplicações clínicas e no desenvolvimento de novos trabalhos relacionados com imagem por RMN em ultra-baixo campo magnético. / The aim of the present work was to optimize the signal to noise ratio in our NMR imaging system (TORM 005) by improving transducers\' reception quality through better designed coils, balanced tuning circuit for this coils and power decoupling circuits and by reducing interference from the electromagnetic environment. For this purpose, we had to modify the internal electromagnetic shielding and incorporate line filters in the more critica1 signal paths. Also, new types of coils were developed, improving the signal to noise ratio, and allowing us to make clinical exams with superior quality for severa1 anatomies. Balanced circuits for tuning and matching of the coil were studied and built, allowing a reduction of the coil losses because patient\'s load. This produced a more reliable coil tuning after positioning each new patient. Circuits to avoid the receiver input overload and decoupling circuits for the isolation of receiver coils from excitation coil were designed and incorporated to the TORM 005. All these alterations of our imaging system (TORM 005) contributed to a significant improvement in the signal to noise ratio, reliability and reproducibility of the system. This permitted to operate the system routinely for clinical applications, research and development in the area of ultra low magnetic field tomography.