The TwinsUK MR Imaging study protocol: Brain and spine at 3T and cardiac plus whole-body at 0.55T
Motivation: TwinsUK hosts 30 years of biological data, linked with imaging this can be used to understand how lifestyle, environment and infection exposures influence organ-specific ageing and disease. Goal(s): To develop MRI protocols at 0.55T and 3T covering the whole body, and specifically the brain, heart and liver. Approach: A protocol, consisting of two ~45 minute sessions, was developed that was inspired by the UK Biobank but optimised to suit technological advancements, and an ultra-wide bore low-field system. Results: Data collection is underway with >300 participants scanned so far and ~2500 participants to be scanned over five years. Dedicated analysis pipelines are under development. Impact: This study will generate a comprehensive MRI resource in a twin cohort of ~2500 participants. Combined with biological data, this facilitates the study of ageing and has potential to lead to more personalised approaches to managing health as we age.
Authors
- Claire J. Steves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4910-0489)
- Brandon Whitcher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6452-2399)
- Sami Jeljeli
- Marc Modat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5277-8530)
- Evan Thomas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2172-6049)
- Sharon Giles (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8528-3745)
- Liane S. Canas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2553-1284)
- Anmol Kaushal
- Amedeo Chiribiri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3394-4289)
- Pier Giorgio Masci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5196-9530)
- Vicky Goh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2321-8091)
- Anthony N. Price (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6907-7554)
- Jon O. Cleary (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8836-9934)
- Marili Niglas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6905-5368)
- Philippa Bridgen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8051-8139)
- Zihan Ning (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9692-1976)
- Sébastien Ourselin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5694-5340)
- Joseph V. Hajnal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2690-5495)
- Amanda Isaac (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5827-0562)
- Pierluigi Di Ciò (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0457-9449)
- Rebecca Thornley
- Michela Cleri
- Jimmy Bell
- John Maynard
Publication Details
- Journal
- Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition
- Published
- 2025-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.58530/2025/1649
- Primary Topic
- Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00