The Brain Research Imaging Centre scanner has a worldwide reputation for neuro-research and is dedicated to reducing the burden of common neurological diseases and increasing understanding of the brain through neuro-imaging. BRIC was recently recognised in the Wellcome Trust Portfolio Review on Human Functional Brain Imaging 1990-2009, although our main focus is not functional imaging.

Our 1.5T HDX, GE Signal Horizon MRI scanner, equipped for echo-planar imaging using 8 channel coils, is optimised for brain imaging. BRIC is also equipped with a Biopac data acquisition unit, an EEG fMRI BrainAmp system, the latest, state of the art, simulation device from NordicNeurolab, has a comprehensive quality assurance programme and exemplary data management procedures.

Major scientific advances include understanding of lacunar stroke (the cause of a fifth of all strokes), the relationship between blood brain barrier permeability, small vessel disease, cognition in the elderly, and of connectivity abnormalities in schizophrenia. BRIC researchers showed that about three quarters of small bleeds that caused minor strokes were missed when using other methods of brain imaging like CT, yet are visible using MRI. Our research underpins world wide guidelines on stroke and is published in the most prestigious academic publications read throughout the world.

BRIC has helped make the University of Edinburgh one of the top-rated research Universities in the world. BRIC staff were instrumental in establishing the Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC, a state-of-the-art University of Edinburgh imaging facility), and initiated the SINAPSE Collaboration (Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence) bringing together researchers in 6 Universities across Scotland, www.sinapse.ac.uk.

BRIC can also provide scanning capacity for commercial clinical trials. All BRIC staff undergo GCP training with regular updates. Scanning for multi-site trials at development stages Phase II and Phase III has been done at BRIC, working with a number of large Pharma companies (Amgen, BioGen, GSK, Merck Serono, Novartis, Pfizer, Servier and Wyeth), clinical research organisations (CROs) (Chiltern, PRA International, Quintiles) and specialist imaging CROs (BioClinica, Bio-imaging, Icon Medical Imaging, IXICO, Perceptive and Virtualscopics).

Our knowledge exchange programme includes an online MSc in Neuroimaging for Research, CPD modules, advice on and software for image analysis, national workshops in Ethics of Imaging and Wider Society - Implications of Imaging and collaborations with GE Medical Systems, Toshiba Medical Visualisation Systems, Propeller and NHS Research and Development.

The Brain Research Imaging Centre is dependent on and extremely grateful to the following organisations for major funding support:

AgeUK; Alzheimer's Society; Chief Scientits Office; Cohen Charitable Trust, GE Medical Systems; Medical Research Council; MS Society; National Institute for Health Research Emerging Medicines Evaluation (EME) Board; National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme; NHS Lothian Research and Development; Private Donations; Row Fogo Charitable Trust, Scottish Academic Health Sciences Collaboration; Scottish Funding Council; Stroke Association; Translational Medicine Research Initiative; Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Edinburgh; Wyeth/TMRI Ltd; USA NIH.