--- title: "Not All MRIs Are the Same" description: "T1, T2, FLAIR, fMRI, SWI, DTI, MRS, and ASL are different MRI techniques that look at different brain components. Why this matters for proving a TBI." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "LegalService", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#organization", "name": "Colorado Brain Injury & Bike Crash Attorneys | Bike Brain Law", "description": "Colorado brain injury and cycling accident attorneys serving Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and statewide. Specialized TBI representation. Free consultation. Call 303.831.1116.", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com", "image": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/og-image.png" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/not-all-mris-are-the-same#blogposting", "isPartOf": { "@type": "Blog", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog#blog", "name": "Bike Brain Law Blog" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/not-all-mris-are-the-same" }, "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/not-all-mris-are-the-same", "headline": "Not All MRIs Are the Same", "name": "Not All MRIs Are the Same", "description": "T1, T2, FLAIR, fMRI, SWI, DTI, MRS, and ASL are different MRI techniques that look at different brain components. Why this matters for proving a TBI.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/not-all-mris-are-the-same#primaryimage", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_0690-aerial-lookout-golden-background-angled-3-.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_0690-aerial-lookout-golden-background-angled-3-.jpg", "caption": "Aerial view of Lookout Mountain with golden light", "description": "Aerial view of Lookout Mountain with golden light", "representativeOfPage": true }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/not-all-mris-are-the-same#primaryimage", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_0690-aerial-lookout-golden-background-angled-3-.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_0690-aerial-lookout-golden-background-angled-3-.jpg", "caption": "Aerial view of Lookout Mountain with golden light", "description": "Aerial view of Lookout Mountain with golden light", "representativeOfPage": true }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/img_0690-aerial-lookout-golden-background-angled-3-.jpg", "datePublished": "2026-01-01T15:00:00.000Z", "dateModified": "2026-01-01T15:00:00.000Z", "inLanguage": "en-US", "articleSection": "Brain Injury", "keywords": "Brain Injury, Colorado, personal injury, TBI, cycling accident", "timeRequired": "PT1M", "articleBody": "Most people have heard of an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging but do not know that there are many different kinds of MRIs. MRI does not use radiation like computed tomography or CT. Instead, MRI uses powerful magnets and radiofrequency currents to obtain images of human anatomy. Contrast may be used to increase image brightness. MRI is better for imaging non-bony structures or soft tissues like the brain. There are numerous types of MRIs with varying sensitivity levels and advanced techniques designed to look at different structural components and functions of the brain. The different kinds of MRIs include T1 and T2 weighted imaging, 3.0 Tesla (3T) or next generation 7T and Connectome scanners, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), functional MRIs (fMRI), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and arterial spine labelling (ASL). Not all these techniques are available on clinical scanners and may only be available to highly specialized research facilities. T1 looks at volumetric changes, MRS detects metabolic changes and measures neuronal function, SWI identifies microbleeds, FLAIR detects traumatic axonal injury and white matter hyperintensities, DTI measures water movement in axons and myelin, fMRI measures regional cerebral oxygenation, blood flow, and volume, and ASL assesses cerebral perfusion by quantifying cerebral blood flow. Understanding these differences about imaging and how imaging plays a role in diagnosing and proving traumatic brain injury is vital to protecting the legal rights of brain injury victims and our clients. We are committed to working with expert radiologists and neuroradiologists and staying knowledgeable about the latest in brain imaging science to protect our client's rights.", "commentCount": 0, "additionalProperty": [ { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "readingTime", "value": "1 min read", "unitText": "minutes", "unitCode": "MIN" }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "wordCount", "unitText": "words" }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "characterCount", "value": 1813, "unitText": "characters" }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "headingCount", "value": 0 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "paragraphCount", "value": 4 }, { "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "listCount", "value": 0 } ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#dan-dangelo", "name": "Attorney Dan D'Angelo", "jobTitle": "Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist", "description": "Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety.", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg", "caption": "Attorney Dan D'Angelo" }, "url": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#about", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#organization" } }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/#organization" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://bikebrainlaw.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Not All MRIs Are the Same", "item": "https://bikebrainlaw.com/blog/not-all-mris-are-the-same" } ] } ] --- [![Bike Brain Law](/assets/logo-white-CuISKEAM.webp)](/)[303.831.1116](tel:3038311116) Practice Areas Practice Areas - [Brain Injury Focused brain injury representation backed by science, trial experience, and real results. ](/practice-areas/traumatic-brain-injury) - [Cycling Accidents An avid cyclist who fights for injured riders across Colorado. ](/practice-areas/cycling-accidents) - [Bicycle Product Liability Holding manufacturers accountable when defective bike parts cause injuries. ](/practice-areas/bicycle-product-liability) Resources - [Insights & Guides ](/blog) - [Case Results ](/results) - Our Process - FAQs Service Areas - [Denver](/service-areas/denver) - [Boulder](/service-areas/boulder) - [Fort Collins](/service-areas/fort-collins) - [Golden](/service-areas/golden) - [Colorado Springs](/service-areas/colorado-springs) - [Aurora](/service-areas/aurora) Featured [ ![Attorney Dan D'Angelo](/assets/dan-dangelo-headshot-DJ4GY3yR.jpg) Meet Attorney Dan D'Angelo Trial lawyer, trusted brain injury advocate, avid cyclist. Learn more ](/) Free consultation · No fee unless we win. Talk to Dan AboutTestimonials[Results](/results)FAQsContact[Insights & Guides](/blog)Free Consultation [](tel:3038311116) [All articles](/blog) [Brain Injury](/blog/brain-injury)· January 1, 2026· 1 min read # Not All MRIs Are the Same T1, T2, FLAIR, fMRI, SWI, DTI, MRS, and ASL are different MRI techniques that look at different brain components. Why this matters for proving a TBI. ![Dan D'Angelo](/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg) By Attorney Dan D'Angelo Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist ![Aerial view of Lookout Mountain with golden light](/images/content/img_0690-aerial-lookout-golden-background-angled-3-.jpg) Most people have heard of an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging but do not know that there are many different kinds of MRIs. MRI does not use radiation like computed tomography or CT. Instead, MRI uses powerful magnets and radiofrequency currents to obtain images of human anatomy. Contrast may be used to increase image brightness. MRI is better for imaging non-bony structures or soft tissues like the brain. There are numerous types of MRIs with varying sensitivity levels and advanced techniques designed to look at different structural components and functions of the brain. The different kinds of MRIs include T1 and T2 weighted imaging, 3.0 Tesla (3T) or next generation 7T and Connectome scanners, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), functional MRIs (fMRI), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and arterial spine labelling (ASL). Not all these techniques are available on clinical scanners and may only be available to highly specialized research facilities. T1 looks at volumetric changes, MRS detects metabolic changes and measures neuronal function, SWI identifies microbleeds, FLAIR detects traumatic axonal injury and white matter hyperintensities, DTI measures water movement in axons and myelin, fMRI measures regional cerebral oxygenation, blood flow, and volume, and ASL assesses cerebral perfusion by quantifying cerebral blood flow. Related from Bike Brain Law - [Traumatic Brain Injury Claims How we build winning TBI cases against insurers. ](/#practice-areas) - [TBI & Injury FAQs Answers to the questions brain injury victims ask most. ](/#faqs) - [Our Case Process What to expect from consultation to settlement. ](/#process) Free, confidential case review ### Injured in a brain injury or serious accident in Colorado? Talk directly with Attorney Dan D'Angelo for a free consultation with zero obligation to find out where you stand. [Get My Free Consultation](/#contact) [303.831.1116](tel:3038311116) Understanding these differences about imaging and how imaging plays a role in diagnosing and proving traumatic brain injury is vital to protecting the legal rights of brain injury victims and our clients. We are committed to working with expert radiologists and neuroradiologists and staying knowledgeable about the latest in brain imaging science to protect our client's rights. ## Have a question about your case? Attorney Dan D'Angelo offers free consultations for brain injury and cycling accident victims throughout Colorado. [Free Consultation](/#contact) [303.831.1116](tel:3038311116) ![Dan D'Angelo](/images/content/20231015_dangelo_dan_square_076.jpg) About the Author ### Attorney Dan D'Angelo Trial Lawyer · Brain Injury Advocate · Avid Cyclist Attorney Dan D'Angelo founded D'Angelo Law Office, P.C. in 2009 and Bike Brain Law to focus exclusively on traumatic brain injury and cycling injury cases in Colorado. An avid cyclist himself, Dan combines deep TBI science knowledge with hands-on cycling experience to build winning cases against insurance companies and corporations that put profits over safety. - Practicing Colorado personal injury attorney since 2009 - Focused practice in TBI and bicycle injury litigation - Multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injury victims - Avid road and commuter cyclist ## Related articles [ ![Brain imaging scans on a medical lightbox](/images/content/img_7090.jpg) #### Can a Denver Attorney Take My Traumatic Brain Injury Case to Trial? ](/blog/can-a-denver-attorney-take-my-tbi-case-to-trial)[ ![Racks of bicycles at a train station](https://odfyhkstsknriaebnttc.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/blog-images/4aa19bbd-3cb5-4c36-a7ac-e40bf22d19ed.jpeg?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV81NTc3MTNiMy1mM2NiLTRjZmEtYmM3Yi0wYmQ0NmVmZjE3ZjIiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJibG9nLWltYWdlcy80YWExOWJiZC0zY2I1LTRjMzYtYTdhYy1lNDBiZjIyZDE5ZWQuanBlZyIsInNjb3BlIjoiZG93bmxvYWQiLCJpYXQiOjE3ODUzNDY3NTksImV4cCI6MjEwMDcwNjc1OX0.xJyXEWuIgBqj1qmDqQQdai23W09gRBBqooyEtV3uisw) #### Why loss of consciousness is difficult to spot and why it's so important to your legal case. ](/blog/why-loss-of-consciousness-is-difficult-to-spot-and-how-to-identify-it)[ ![Treelined path with cyclist posing at the end](https://odfyhkstsknriaebnttc.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/sign/blog-images/55e622d3-709b-4210-a141-ac41b5765070.jpg?token=eyJraWQiOiJzdG9yYWdlLXVybC1zaWduaW5nLWtleV81NTc3MTNiMy1mM2NiLTRjZmEtYmM3Yi0wYmQ0NmVmZjE3ZjIiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJibG9nLWltYWdlcy81NWU2MjJkMy03MDliLTQyMTAtYTE0MS1hYzQxYjU3NjUwNzAuanBnIiwic2NvcGUiOiJkb3dubG9hZCIsImlhdCI6MTc4NTM1MDA4MiwiZXhwIjoyMTAwNzEwMDgyfQ.y_WQrz9NT3BkAoSyOlpdMw9IrxR3LDOQRK0TKozc9dA) #### How long do brain injury symptoms last? ](/blog/how-long-do-brain-injury-symptoms-last) [![Bike Brain Law](/assets/logo-white-CuISKEAM.webp)](/) Colorado's dedicated brain injury and cycling accident attorney. 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