Wits University, Apr 06: In a major step toward advancing neuroscience research in underserved regions, a portable, low-field MRI machine has been installed in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. The initiative introduces a flexible and cost-effective approach to brain imaging, particularly benefiting ageing and dementia studies in low-resource settings.
The project is a collaboration between Columbia University and the SAMRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Unit (Agincourt). Unlike conventional MRI systems, which require costly infrastructure and specialised facilities, this portable device can be easily moved between rooms and used directly where patients are located—even for those who are bed-bound.
Traditional MRI scanners are often inaccessible in rural areas due to high installation costs and logistical challenges. For example, patients in Bushbuckridge typically travel up to two hours to reach facilities in nearby urban centres. The new portable system addresses this gap by enabling on-site imaging without the need for large-scale infrastructure.
Although the device operates at a lower magnetic field strength, advancements in imaging technology allow it to generate meaningful data. Rapid image acquisition combined with artificial intelligence-driven post-processing enhances scan quality, enabling researchers to focus on critical brain regions such as the hippocampus—key to memory and often affected early in dementia.
“As life expectancy increases across sub-Saharan Africa, so does the burden of cognitive decline and dementia,” said Stephen Tollman, Director of the Wits Agincourt unit. “The introduction of MRI imaging allows researchers to directly observe brain changes and link them to long-term health outcomes.”
The portable MRI project is embedded within the Health and Ageing in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA), one of the continent’s most comprehensive ageing studies. Conducted in partnership with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the study tracks over 5,000 individuals aged 40 and above, collecting data on cognitive health, chronic disease, and social conditions since 2014.
By integrating MRI imaging into this dataset, researchers can better understand how brain structure changes over time and how these changes relate to health, behaviour, and socio-economic factors.
“By adding imaging to surveys and clinical data, we can link brain structure changes to real-world conditions at an unprecedented scale in African populations,” said Adam Brickman of the Taub Institute at Columbia University.
The study will assess the reliability of portable MRI by comparing scans from 600 participants using traditional high-field systems, with 350 participants also undergoing portable scans. This comparative approach will determine whether portable MRI can deliver accurate and scalable results.
Beyond research, the initiative focuses on building local capacity by training radiographers, data specialists, and early-career scientists. Secure cloud-based systems will support data storage and collaboration while maintaining participant confidentiality.
By proving the effectiveness of portable MRI technology, the project could redefine how advanced medical research is conducted in resource-limited settings. It also sets the stage for a more inclusive global understanding of brain health.
“This initiative ensures that populations previously underrepresented in neuroscience research are finally part of the global picture,” Tollman added.
