Multiplexed MRI expands the power of conventional brain imaging

A research team led by Zhi-Pei Liang at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has introduced multiplexed MRI (MRx), a new imaging technique capable of simultaneously mapping 22 quantitative brain biomarkers in a single scan. The method overcomes traditional MRI limitations by using specialized data acquisition and physics-driven machine learning to separate weak molecular signals from metabolites and neurotransmitters, which are typically 1,000–10,000 times weaker than water-based signals. MRx achieves this in just 14 minutes—significantly faster than conventional multi-contrast MRI protocols that can take up to an hour—while maintaining high resolution. The innovation addresses two key challenges in MRI: the curse of dimensionality, which increases scan time for high-dimensional imaging, and the difficulty of detecting overlapping weak signals. Liang’s team demonstrated MRx’s capabilities by imaging patients with brain tumors, revealing distinct tissue states such as grey matter, white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, oedema, meningioma, oligodendroglioma, and glioblastoma. Standard MRI failed to differentiate these states, whereas MRx’s tissue state index successfully classified eight unique tissue types, aiding tumor grading and radiation therapy planning. The technique also holds promise for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, as MRx can distinguish active and chronic lesions without contrast agents. This capability could improve patient stratification, treatment planning, and disease progression prediction. Liang emphasized the goal of creating an ‘omni’ imaging technology that unlocks the full biological potential of MRI signals, offering deeper insights into brain function and disease mechanisms. MRx’s ability to capture a wide range of biomarkers—including neuronal loss, energy metabolism, axonal damage, and hypoxia—provides a more comprehensive view of brain pathology than standard MRI. The method’s efficiency and precision could revolutionize clinical diagnostics, enabling faster and more accurate assessments of brain disorders. The findings were published in *Nature*, highlighting MRx as a transformative advancement in neuroimaging.