Evaluation of functional Magnetic Resonance in the Diagnosis of Brain Tumors for Assessment of Clinical Efficacy (EMBRACE)

In patients suggestive of intra-cranial brain tumors, Magnetic Resonance (MR) is the imaging modality of choice for tumor characterization prior to, during and after surgical intervention. At Rikshospitalet (Oslo, Norway), a multi-disciplinary project has been established with the aim of developing novel imaging methods for brain tumor characterization. The initial clinical validations of these methods are currently in process and encouraging results have already been published in leading journals. Althou gh many studies show that new imaging methods can improve the diagnostic accuracy there has been little focus on the added overall diagnostic efficacy provided by these advanced methods. Also, few studies have addressed how these methods affect patient ou tcome (i.e. morbidity, quality of life) and cost to society. As a consequence, researchers at Rikshospitalet have recently initiated an international multi-institutional study in collaboration with leading research milieus from Norway (Bergen, Trondheim), Denmark (Aarhus), Germany (Mannheim) and USA (Madison, San Diego). The project is titled Evaluation of functional Magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of BRain tumors for Assessment of Clinical Efficacy (EMBRACE) with the principal objective of evaluating the diagnostic efficacy of introducing new diagnostic MR methods (developed at our institution) for characterizing of brain tumors. In addition, the EMBRACE project is strengthened further through an ongoing collaboration with our industrial partner (Nor dicImagingLab, Bergen). With the aid of the Technology Transfer Office at Rikshospitalet (Medinnova), this collaboration has already resulted in two US patent applications. Thus, results will not only be scientifically presented but also capitalized in ne w software and techniques that benefit the health care. In order to meet these objectives, we will recruit one Post-doctoral fellowship, one Ph.D. position and one technical research position.