User survey for ImagingSociety 2025 - National MRI research infrastructure in Norway

Author

Dr. Athanasia M. Mowinckel

Published

October 22, 2025

Background

This report presents an analysis of the survey data collected for the national grant scheme application for MRI research infrastructure in Norway. The survey was designed to gather insights from the research community on the current use, needs, and challenges related to MRI for human research.

The following sections will present a summary of the key findings, including graphical representations of the quantitative data and a textual summary of the open-ended responses, with the help of the Gemini LMM.

Survey Results

Of the 66 responses, 30 participants reported they currently use MRI for research, 45% indicate a future interest in using the new MRI facility for their work.

Participant Demographics

This section provides an overview of the survey participants’ roles and institutions.

Figure 1: Distribution of Participants by Position and Institution

Research Areas

The survey respondents represent a diverse range of research areas, but cognitive neuroscience and related fields are heavily represented. Here’s a breakdown of the key themes:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience: This is the most frequently mentioned area, encompassing general cognitive neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience of language/music, and specific cognitive processes like attention, decision-making, and learning.
  • Neurology & Neurodegenerative Diseases: A significant number of respondents focus on neurological conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis, dementia (Alzheimer’s and general aging-related), stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Mental Health & Psychiatry: Many are involved in research on mental disorders, including psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, anorexia nervosa, and general child/adolescent mental health. Related areas like psychotherapy, rTMS, and clinical psychology are also present.
  • Brain Imaging & Methods Development: A sizable group focuses on developing and applying brain imaging techniques (MRI, fNIRS, EEG, etc.) and methodologies for studying the brain, including structural, functional, and quantitative MRI.
  • Neuroscience (General): A subset of respondents simply indicated “neuroscience,” which could encompass a variety of more specific sub-disciplines.
  • Aging & Women’s Health: There’s representation of research into healthy aging, menopause, and women’s health issues related to cognition and neuropsychology.
  • Specific Cognitive Functions: Areas like memory, language, speech processing, auditory processing, and executive functions are research interests.
  • Other Areas: Includes more specialized areas like sexual health, autoimmunity, pain research, brain-gut interaction, sleep, environmental psychology, and paleoclimatology using medical imaging.

In summary, the survey respondents are a broad mix of researchers primarily focused on cognitive neuroscience, neurology, mental health, and brain imaging, with additional representation in more specialized areas.

How MRI Would Enhance Research

Based on the survey responses, increased and improved access to MRI would significantly expand and improve research in several key areas:

  • Neuroscience & Cognition: Understanding brain function, connectivity, and structure in relation to various cognitive processes (memory, language, attention, executive functions, emotion regulation), aging, and neurological/psychiatric disorders (ADHD, dementia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, eating disorders, lupus nephritis). Specifically, they want to detect early inflammatory changes.

  • Clinical Applications & Diagnostics: Developing biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis, tracking disease progression, assessing the impact of clinical interventions (brain stimulation, hormone replacement therapy, neurosurgery, dementia treatment, pain treatment), and improving diagnostic image quality.

  • Methodological Advancement: Development of novel imaging sequences, integrating MRI data with other methodologies (e.g., genetics, EEG, computational models), and improving the reproducibility of findings.

  • Study Feasibility & Scale: Enabling larger and well-powered studies, facilitating multi-center collaborations (especially across Norway), including participants from underserved regions, and increasing the number of Master’s/PhD theses involving MRI.

  • Specific Research Areas: Understanding sexual dysfunction, the neural basis of bilingualism, the neurobiological processes related to the menstrual cycle, and the relationship between brain structure/function and pain. One respondent would like to “diagnose” geohazards with the technology.

Common themes that emerge are the need for:

  • Easier and Cheaper Access: Including organizational models that prioritize research use and researcher training.
  • Reliable & Predictable Access: To enable proper study planning.
  • High-Performance Imaging: Access to advanced techniques like fMRI and 7T MRI.
  • Associated Infrastructure: Data storage, computational resources, and neuroradiological expertise.

Future Needs

This section analyzes which conditions are considered most important for the future of MRI research in Norway.

Figure 2: Future Conditions for MRI Research

Summary of Free-text Comments

This section provides a summary of the open-ended comments, generated using the Gemini LMM.

These survey responses highlight several key themes regarding MRI research in Norway. A common desire is for improved access and dedicated research time on scanners, possibly through prioritization over clinical use or better pricing. The need for a research-focused MRI scanner located closer to the University of Bergen campus, outside of the hospital environment, was explicitly expressed, with advocates suggesting this would foster innovative research approaches. Several respondents emphasized the value of collaborative MRI research communities, particularly in Tromsø, and suggested ensuring consistency and access to advanced technologies like 7T scanners across different sites in Norway. The ultimate vision calls for a network of synchronized scanners distributed geographically to enable large-scale population mapping studies, drawing inspiration from successful initiatives like the UK Biobank.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the overwhelming response to this survey unequivocally demonstrates a critical need for increased access to dedicated research-focused MRI scanners in Norway. The data reveals significant demand across diverse disciplines and institutions, coupled with a clear understanding of how enhanced MRI capabilities can propel research forward. The challenges of limited access, coupled with the desire for advanced technology and dedicated support, highlight the urgent need for strategic investment in this crucial area of research infrastructure. By addressing these needs, Norway can unlock its full potential for groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience, medicine, and beyond, positioning itself as a leader in innovative research and improved patient outcomes. The time to act is now to secure Norway’s future as a hub for cutting-edge MRI research.