20 years of innovation at the Erwin L. Hahn Institute: New perspectives for medicine!

20 years of innovation at the Erwin L. Hahn Institute: New perspectives for medicine!

On July 4, 2025, the Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (ELH) will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Founded in 2005 by the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Radboud University of Nijmegen, the institute has played a significant role in the research and technological development of ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-MRI).

The main goal of the ELH is to improve clinical diagnostics, support therapy control and deepen knowledge about the human brain and other organs. The institute is considered one of the pioneers in the application of 7 Tesla MRI technology and has made a significant contribution to the development of new diagnostic procedures.

Research priorities and innovations

Research at ELH focuses on several areas, including the diagnosis of prostate cancer and the discovery of smaller lymph nodes through the use of 7T MRI technology. An important area of ​​research is also the understanding of pain processing and learned fear reactions, in which the Collaborative Research Center 1280 “Extinction Learning” is active.

In collaboration with the neurosurgical clinic, a new imaging marker for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is being developed, which is based on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) at 7 Tesla. The aim of this advanced research is to develop high-resolution morphological and functional sequences for the preoperative visualization of pituitary adenomas, where the precise representation of tumor spread and the positional relationships to important brain structures are of central importance.

In addition, the ELH uses the latest technologies to evaluate multimodal diagnostics for diseases such as multiple sclerosis as well as the early detection and differentiation of atypical Parkinson's syndromes. Innovative techniques such as molecular CEST-MRI have been used to detect pathological protein deposits in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

Advances in imaging technology

In 2020, the MAGNETOM Terra 7-Tesla MRI system was introduced, enabling faster and more powerful imaging than its previous model. An upgrade of this system is currently being planned to meet the ever-growing need for precise diagnostic procedures. In the neuroradiology department at Heidelberg Hospital, various MRI technologies are also used, including comprehensive MR angiography to examine the blood vessels in the head area.

The ELH is organizing several events to mark its anniversary. A birthday party will take place on July 4, 2025, followed by the Erwin L. Hahn Lecture & Workshop on October 29, 2025, which allows free participation. An anniversary colloquium with nine international lectures by top scientists is also planned, which will take place from September 2025 to May 2026.

In this way, the ELH stands out not only for its technological advances, but also for its efforts to share knowledge within the medical community and advance clinical standards. The institute, named after the discoverer of spin echoes in magnetic resonance imaging, remains committed to maintaining its place at the forefront of neuroscience and clinical imaging.