Brain MRI

A Brain MRI, sometimes called an MRI brain scan, uses magnetic resonance imaging to create detailed images of the brain. MRI provides excellent contrast between different types of soft tissue, making it particularly useful for examining the brain and central nervous system (CNS).

A Brain MRI can help doctors investigate a wide range of neurological conditions and symptoms. Depending on the clinical question, the examination may include specialised MRI sequences (e.g. CSF-flow studies, functional MRI, or quantitative MRI such as NeuroQuant) or the administration of an intravenous (IV) contrast.

Unlike CT scans and X-rays, MRI does not use ionising radiation.

Brain MRI can identify or provide information about many abnormalities affecting the brain and surrounding structures.

Depending on the imaging protocol and clinical circumstances, MRI may help assess:

• Brain tumours and other masses such as meningiomas
• Stroke and changes related to reduced blood flow
• Multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating conditions
• Inflammation and infection
• Structural abnormalities of the brain (e.g. Chiari malformation)
• Certain vascular abnormalities
• Pituitary abnormalities (e.g. benign pituitary adenomas)
• Changes associated with previous brain injury
• Hydrocephalus and abnormalities involving cerebrospinal fluid (e.g. signs of CSF leak, intracranial hypotension or hypertension)
• Some causes of seizures
• Certain causes of headaches, dizziness or neurological symptoms
• Neuralgias – including trigeminal neuralgia and occipital neuralgia (specific to MBR Health’s nerve imaging protocol – NerveVIEW)

Importantly, an MRI finding does not always establish a diagnosis by itself. Results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history, examination and, where necessary, other investigations.

Your treating doctor may recommend a Brain MRI when symptoms or previous test results require a more detailed assessment of the brain.

Reasons for referral can include:

• new, persistent or unusual headaches
• seizures
• changes in vision
• dizziness
• balance problems
• weakness or numbness
• memory or cognitive changes
• hearing-related symptoms
• assess and monitor known neurological condition
• plan treatment (e.g. fMRI for brain tumour surgery)

Many neurological symptoms have several possible causes. Having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a significant brain abnormality is present.

Not every Brain MRI requires IV contrast. Many examinations can provide useful diagnostic information without it. In other situations, an IV gadolinium-based contrast agent may be recommended because it can make particular tissues, blood vessels or abnormalities more conspicuous.

Contrast may be useful when investigating certain tumours, inflammation, infection, vascular abnormalities or other neurological conditions.

Whether contrast is appropriate depends on the reason for your scan, your medical history and the imaging protocol selected for you. Most radiology providers will advise you at the time of booking whether contrast is routinely recommended for your specific scan.

Depending on the scan the recommendation for IV contrast, most patients will be asked to fast for between 2 and 4 hours prior to their brain MRI scan.

Before arriving for your appointment, it is a good idea to wear loose clothing without metal decorations or zippers. It is also important to advise your referring doctor, or radiology provider, if you think you may be pregnant, have implants of any kind, or experienced a previous reaction to IV contrast. For your safety, it is very important that all implants are cleared by a member of the MRI team prior to your scan.

Most radiology providers will ask you to arrive a few minutes prior to your scheduled scan time in order to complete any onboarding paper work. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown, remove jewellery, or other metal objects (e.g. magnetic eyelashes, bobby pins) prior to your scan.

After reviewing your safety questionnaire, the MRI team will accompany you into the MRI scanner room. The MRI radiographers (also called MRI technologists) will assist you on to the scan table. You will need to remain very still during the scan as any movement could blur the images and make it difficult for doctors to interpret them accurately. You may even be asked to hold your breath at certain times. An MRI Cinema patient experience, pillows and blankets, may be provided to assist you in staying still and comfortable.

Before your MRI scan begins, you will be given a buzzer to alert the MRI team if needed, with two-way communication available with the MRI control room throughout your scan.

Most brain MRI scans take between 20 – 45 minutes to complete. However, the scan time depends on the clinical reason for your scan, the number of MRI sequences, spatial resolution, technology (e.g. 3T scanners are faster than 1.5T), and whether IV contrast is given.

At MBR Health, our comprehensive brain MRI scans take between 30 – 45 minutes. Some specialised or custom MRI scans, such as functional MRI (fMRI) may take up to 60 minutes. During your MRI scan at MBR Health, you are welcome to watch movies, TV shows or listen to music using our in-scan MRI cinema. This small detail make a significant difference to patient comfort during the scan.

After the scan, the reporting radiologist will review the images and look for signs of abnormalities that may account for the patient’s symptoms provided on the doctors referral. At most radiology providers, reports are normally completed and sent to the referring doctor within seven days. Once the report is released to the referring doctor, most radiology clinics operate a patient app report delay of up to 7 days.

At MBR Health, our brain MRI scan reports are typically sent to the patient’s doctor within 2 – 3 days. Radiologist reports are also made available in the MBR Patient Portal App at the same time, giving patients convenient access to their health information.

Yes. MRI scans are considered safe for the vast majority of people. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRI does not use ionising radiation. Instead, it uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce detailed images of the brain.

However, because of the very strong magnetic field, MRI scans may not be suitable for everyone, such as those with pacemaker or neurotransmitter implants. For this reason, all patients are screened for certain implanted medical devices, metallic implants or foreign bodies that could affect MRI safety.

If contrast is required, additional considerations may apply. The suitability of MRI and contrast is assessed based on the individual patient and the specific scan protocol required to assess the clinical concerns.

If a patient has any concerns about the safety of MRI scans, including IV contrast, they are encouraged to speak to their referring doctor or the performing radiology MRI team for further information before their appointment.

Brain MRI and CT scans are both used to image the brain, but they use different technologies and have different clinical applications.

A Brain MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce detailed images of the brain without ionising radiation. MRI provides excellent soft-tissue detail and can be particularly useful for assessing neurological conditions and abnormalities of brain tissue.

A CT scan uses X-rays and can acquire images very quickly. CT is often preferred in emergency situations, particularly when there is a need to rapidly assess for acute intracranial haemorrhage (bleeding in or around the brain), skull fractures or significant head trauma.

The most appropriate imaging examination depends on the clinical situation, symptoms and information required by the treating practitioner.

The cost of a Brain MRI can vary between imaging providers depending on the examination required and Medicare eligibility.

At MBR Health, MRI examinations are privately billed and Medicare rebates do not apply. A typical non-contrast Brain MRI scan at MBR Health costs $540*, although the final cost may vary depending on the scan requested by your referring doctor.

The cost reflects MBR Health’s comprehensive approach to Brain MRI, including 3T MRI imaging with an extensive high-resolution imaging protocol, specialised imaging techniques where appropriate, on-site radiologist reporting, quick report turn around, access to your report through the patient portal, and MRI Cinema to help provide a more comfortable experience during your scan. The ability to watch movies during the MRI scan is often an overlooked feature that adds significant value to the patient in hindsight.

For more information about MRI pricing and what may affect the cost of your scan, see our MRI Scan Costs guide. 

If you have a referral for a Brain MRI scan, upload it to our bookings team and they will be happy to provide you an accurate quote for your scan.

*price current as of 25/09/26, and is subject to change without notice.