BrainSpec, University of Minnesota Team Up to Advance MR Spectroscopy Automation

BrainSpec iss collaborating with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) to commercialize AutoVOI, a patented pipeline that automates voxel placement in magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy.

Through an exclusive license agreement managed by University of Minnesota Technology Commercialization, BrainSpec aims to simplify MR spectroscopy by reducing the technical complexity and bringing cutting-edge technology to a wider audience.

MR spectroscopy is a non-invasive imaging method that measures the chemical composition of brain tissue. Unlike traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which shows the brain’s structure, MR spectroscopy provides information about the brain’s biochemistry, offering insights into conditions that may not be visible on structural scans.

In certain spectroscopy studies, users must define a specific region of the brain for data collection—a step called selecting a “Volume of Interest” (VOI). This voxel placement process is typically completed manually, but it can intimidate inexperienced users and/or those unfamiliar with imaging protocols. For those new to MR spectroscopy, this step can present a barrier to entry.

Developed by the Spectroscopy Division at CMRR, AutoVOI automates and improves the process of selecting brain regions for MRS, offering better precision and reproducibility. This helps reduce variation between scans and users, supporting more consistent data collection across studies. Through this process, a wider audience can use MR spectroscopy with more consistent results. A useful analogy is modern car navigation: rather than rely on personal directions, AutoVOI is like GPS for brain imaging—it sets coordinates based on known landmarks, guiding users to the right location without requiring advanced knowledge of the terrain. AutoVOI’s automation enables broader MR Spectroscopy use in research settings, helping investigators acquire more consistent and reliable brain chemistry data for further analysis.

“AutoVOI represents a major advancement in MR spectroscopy technology,” said Dr. Gülin Öz, director of CMRR’s Spectroscopy Division and professor of Radiology at the University of Minnesota. “This collaboration allows us to make advanced neuroimaging tools more accessible, supporting researchers in generating high-quality, reproducible data that can drive new insights into better treatments.”

BrainSpec uses advanced signal processing methods to measure relative metabolite levels across the brain and over time, generating rich multidimensional data. By feeding this data into artificial intelligence (AI), BrainSpec offers a comprehensive, web-based solution for analyzing MRS data to provide clinicians with richer insights into brain chemistry.

“We’re excited to collaborate with Dr. Öz and the team at CMRR. This work reflects a shared commitment to turning innovation into practical tools,” BrainSpec Co-Founder/CEO Alex Zimmerman stated. “AutoVOI removes barriers, setting the stage for broader discovery today and seamless clinical adoption tomorrow.”

BrainSpec is a comprehensive software and AI platform designed to make magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy technology accessible to clinicians and researchers alike. The software combines a linear combinations model based post-processing back-end that represents the most accurate method of measuring brain metabolites with a highly intuitive interface making MR spectroscopy as simple to interpret as a blood test. This combination allows for high analytical performance while maintaining ease of use. Together, this results in reduced case processing time, leading to higher output and lower costs.

Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), funded as a Biotechnology Research Center (BTRC) by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) until 2012 and by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) since then, develops unique magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy methodologies and instrumentation to acquire structural, functional, and biochemical information non-invasively in humans, and uses this capability to investigate organ function in health and disease. CMRR is home advanced MR instrumentation, complemented by human resources that provide unique expertise in imaging physics, engineering, and signal processing.