Neurophysics at the ION

There are several research groups at the Institute of Neurology which have Neurophysicists in them. Neurophysics is the branch of medical physics concerned with using physics techniques to study the properties and behaviour of the central nervous system (i.e. the brain and spinal cord). Virtually all the neurophysics at Queen Square is concerned with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy. There are also a number of computer scientists loosely associated with the neurophysicists. From time to time there are vacancies for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

The NMR Research Unit is primarily concerned with research into Multiple Sclerosis, although there are strong collaborative links with groups studying other diseases. A 1.5T whole-body scanner is on the ground floor of Queen Square House.

The Epilepsy Imaging Group is based around a 1.5T scanner at the National Society for Epilepsy at Chalfont, Buckinghamshire (shortly to be upgraded to 3T). Physicists are members of the Institute of Neurology, and collaborate with the NMR Research Unit.

The Functional Imaging Laboratory is concerned with mapping the functional organization of the human brain, using the techniques of MRI, PET, EEG and TMS. A group of 4-6 neurophysicists , all members of the Institute of Neurology, work in implementation and optimization of these techniques, and development of new methods. The laboratory houses two MRI scanners, at 1.5 T and 3 T field strengths. A MEG machine is to be installed shortly.

The Dementia Research Group uses MRI to detect subtle reductions in brain volume.

The Welcome Trust High Field MR Research Laboratory scanner operates at 4.7T. It is administratively part of the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, UCL, and is located at Queen Square. The laboratory's remit is to obtain new information about the human brain with novel MR techniques. There are close collaborative links with other laboratories in this area, particularly with the adjacent FIL.

Neurophysicists at the Institute of Neurology are in the Division of Neuroradiology and Neurophysics .

Many of the Neurophysicists are honorary members of the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering at UCL.

The Centre for Neuroimaging Techniques brings together the many researchers in this field in UCL.