Imaging study updates

An Eye to the MRI

“Participants should be really proud of themselves for taking part in UK Biobank. Its imaging study is really quite unique in the world and will go on to add loads of great value for our understanding of ageing and health.”

Meet Dr James Cole, a Professor of Neuroimage Computing affiliated with the Dementia Research Centre and the Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London. James focuses on imaging how the brain ages, and what physiological changes in the brain may reveal about age-related disease.

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Characterising the interactions of our major organs

Recently, scientists at the University of Oxford, Queen Mary University of London, and Perspectum Ltd have used state-of-the-art multi-organ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate cross-sectional relationships between the heart, brain and liver in over 30 000 UK Biobank participants. Multi-organ imaging studies will pave the way for early disease intervention and treatment.

Whilst medical imaging is highly useful for characterising the pre-symptomatic physiological changes which precede our most major diseases, usually only a single organ system is explored.

In analysing the structure and function relationships between the heart, brain and liver collectively, this study revealed numerous patterns of association. Adverse features in one organ were observed to implicate others: for instance, liver fat was associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes.

More extensive research into the disease mechanisms behind these associations, and how known risk factors (such as diabetes) affect all three organs, is necessary for the development of targeted therapies. However, these early insights highlight that multi-organ imaging will be increasingly valuable in mapping associations to aid the prediction, prevention and treatment of complex diseases.

Age may be a number but brain age...

Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI) model for the analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans. This ‘neural network’, in its ability to identify cognitive decline indicative of neurodegenerative diseases, could allow for earlier risk predictions of Alzheimer’s. 

The brain MRI data of 4, 681 UK Biobank participants was used to create the model. The network was programmed to generate anatomic brain maps in high detail to highlight patterns of aging. Sex-specific differences in anatomical markers of aging across brain regions were observed. These ‘biological’ brain ages were compared with participants’ ‘chronological’ (actual) ages. Larger differences between these two values denoted worse cognitive scores and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.  

Strikingly, the model was able to predict true chronological ages with an error of 2.3 years on average. In addition to earlier risk predictions, such deep learning AI methods will allow for better understanding of individuals’ different rates of aging. Mapping unique aging patterns in the brain provides us with clues about someone’s long-term health and could lead to personalised treatment plans for improving overall health and wellbeing. 

What does your imaging assessment visit involve?

The imaging assessment lasts around 4-5 hours and involves taking imaging scans of your internal organs and the collection of more information about your health and lifestyle, along with a small donation of blood. We have a series of control measures in place to prevent infection transmission, including for COVID-19 (coronavirus), so that you can feel comfortable attending for these important imaging assessments.

We are inviting all UK Biobank participants by email (where we have an email address) and by post. If you would like to attend an imaging assessment centre, please phone our Participant Resource Centre on 0800 0 276 276, who will ask you a few questions to ensure it’s completely safe for you to undertake the scans (e.g., you will not be able to take part if you have any metal or electrical implant [such as a pacemaker] in your body).  

We are aiming to invite up to 100,000 participants, regardless of  whether you are in good health or have ongoing health problems. If you have a disability or require help reading questions during the visit, you can still take part, even if you cannot undergo some of the physical measurements - your contribution is still of enormous value to the study.

Published research using imaging data

Imaging news

Ambitious project announced to create the world’s largest longitudinal imaging dataset

September 21^st 2022

World’s most ambitious imaging study scans 60,000th participant

October 31^st 2022

Study using eye imaging data found an increased risk of glaucoma if you live in a more polluted area

November 27^th 2019

Imaging Study Reveals Potential Biomarker for Liver Health in Metabolic Diseases

August 1^st 2018

Understanding how coronavirus affects internal organs 

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, with your help, we were able to quickly take advantage of our ongoing imaging study to support the global research community to understand more about the effect of coronavirus on longer-term changes in internal organs.

Thanks to your help, we have collected imaging scans from about 50,000 participants before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Repeat imaging has taken place on a subset of about 2,000 of these participants, half of whom had evidence of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 and half of whom did not. We received a 58% response rate from participants who had COVID-19 and a 57% response rate from participants who have not been infected (as identified through linkage to health records or from information that you have provided to us) and who are similar in age, sex and ethnic group to those who have been infected. By collecting scans from participants both before and after infection, we have generated a globally unique resource to enable scientists to understand how the virus affects changes in internal organs. 

These data are already generating unique research into the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on changes in the brain and the heart and will become a health resource of worldwide significance for many years to come.

Find out more below about other initiatives UK Biobank set up to help scientists better understand coronavirus.