BSMS > Research > Clinical Neuroscience > Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre

Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre (CISC)

The Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre (CISC) is a specialist MRI facility that supports cutting-edge health research, bringing together expertise in neuroscience, psychology, medicine and data science.

We also provide advanced clinical imaging for the NHS patients and external partners. We offer a range of expertise including pre-surgical neuro-oncology functional brain mapping and elite athlete sports injury imaging.

Our history

CISC was established in 2007 as a multi-modal imaging facility supporting collaborative research across the Sussex campus and offering nuclear medicine services to the NHS. We have a strong reputation for combining technical innovation with patient-focused imaging services.

CISC was the primary PET-CT service in the South of England, serving NHS patients until November 2024 when the service moved to the Royal County Sussex Hospital.

Over time, the centre has evolved to focus on advanced MRI, with the installation of a Siemens 3T Prisma scanner in 2017 and recent development of ultra-low-field MRI capabilities.

What is MRI?

MRI is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. It is particularly well-suited for imaging the brain and spinal cord, as well as joints and soft tissue structures such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Structural MRI provides detailed images of anatomy and can reveal small changes in normal and abnormal tissue. In clinical care, these images can contribute to diagnosis and help inform decisions about a patient’s treatment pathway.

MRI can also provide information beyond anatomy. Advanced techniques, including functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion MRI (dMRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), allow us to investigate brain function, connectivity and tissue properties.

Someone about go go into an MRI scanner, the dr is holding the patients hand as they press the buttons on the machine

Research

Our work spans a wide range of areas:

Brain Function and Cognition – investigating how brain networks support perception, memory, decision-making and behavior

Brain-Body Interactions and Interoception – exploring how brain activity interacts with physiological processes to shape emotion, awareness, and bodily experience

Health and Wellbeing – investigating how lifestyle, drugs, and genetics influence brain function and mental health

Individual Differences and Unusual Experiences – examining variation in human experience and cognition, including synesthesia and neurodiverse traits, to better understand how brain function differs across individuals

Brain Immunity, Metabolism, and Mental Health – studying how brain metabolism and immune processes contribute to neurological and psychiatric conditions

Imaging Methods and MRI Innovation – developing advanced MRI and quantitative imaging techniques to improve measurement of brain structure, function, and disease

New research endeavors

CISC has been dynamically adapting new research themes in tune with the latest innovations in bioimaging technology and research.

Ultralow field MRI – developing innovative MRI technologies that are more portable, accessible, and cost-effective, while advancing new methods for imaging the brain and body across research and clinical applications

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in image analysis – applying advanced computational methods and statistical modelling to medical imaging to improve data analysis, reduce bias, and enable more accurate detection and tracking of disease

Facilities

CISC provides a collaborative environment for researchers and clinicians working at the intersection of neuroscience, medicine and imaging technology.

Clinical

CISC has developed strong links with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust providing specialised imaging including:

Clinical fMRI – providing functional brain mapping to the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, supporting neurosurgical planning for procedures such as awake craniotomy

Brain tumour imaging – using advanced MRI sequences to characterise tumour tissue. These methods support treatment planning, help predict treatment response, and guide surgical and clinical decision-making

Sports injury – working with external partners to provide specialist musculoskeletal imaging for elite athletes, with expertise in tailored protocols and advanced scanner optimisation

Memory Assessment – delivering high-quality clinical brain imaging for NHS memory services, supporting the assessment of cognitive impairment and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Find out more here >

University of Sussex grounds showing the large concrete 'H' entrance of the arts block

Visiting us

The Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre is on the University of Sussex campus in Falmer. View our campus location.

We are not located at The Amex Stadium, where there are alternative imaging facilities offered.

If you have any questions, email cisc@bsms.ac.uk or phone 01273 876 720

Address

Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre
University of Sussex
Knightsgate Rd
Falmer
Brighton
BN1 9RR

BACKGROUND IMAGE FOR PANEL

Meet the team

See all of our team members in one place.

Meet the CISC team >