Improving diagnosis and treatment of CNS diseases using advanced MR imaging techniques A. Brain tumours Our aim is to improve outcome in low grade gliomas (LGG). We will take advantage of the unique new Angio-MR intraoperative suite (AMRIS) at the NHNN the aim of this programme is to improve surgical outcome in LGG patients (collaboration Ms G Zadeh, Mr A McEvoy, Mr N Kitchen) using advanced pre-, intra- and post operative imaging methods. Capitalising on the combined imaging expertise at NHNN, the Welcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging (Prof C Price, WTCN), the Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences (Prof M Husain, ICN) and the UCL Centre for Medical Image Computing (Prof D Hawkes, CMIC), we will: 1. Establish comprehensive motor and language functional MRI (fMRI) protocols identifying cortical areas related to motor and language function. One set of protocols will be developed for preoperative planning and another for intraoperative verification. 2. Optimise diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for robust identification of peritumoural white matter tracts and their connectivity both pre- and intraoperatively. 3. Assess the accuracy of functional localisation by pre- and intraoperative MRI in comparison with the current surgical gold standard, direct cortical and subcortical stimulation. 4. Develop an atlas-based method to determine the residual tumour volume and its anatomic location, and assess the prognostic value of these measures. B. Neuromuscular diseases Within the MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, our aim is to assess the role of MRI as a novel diagnostic test for peripheral nerve lesions and neurogenic muscle changes. Specifically, we want to: 1. Develop novel MRI techniques to diagnose peripheral nerve disease 2. Establish MRI as a sensitive non-invasive tool to monitor disease progression and therapy of peripheral nerve disease MRI can be ideally used to obtain identical measurements in animals and humans.