Aberdeen oilman’s golf association donates £35,000 for monitoring equipment

Boost for university autism researchers

Published:

Research into autism at Aberdeen University has been given a shot in the arm with a £35,000 donation.

Aberdeen Oilman’s Golf Association (AOGA) yesterday donated the funds which the varsity will put towards equipment to help monitor brain function.

The imaging equipment, a variation on the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans already used in hospitals, is compatible with an audiovisual system and will help assess critical childhood disorders such as autism.

Dr Justin Williams, from child health at Aberdeen University, said: “The (MRI) process can be challenging for young patients as they are required to lie very still in a confined and noisy environment.

“The new equipment will allow the child to watch and listen to a video throughout the procedure which will keep them occupied, removing the need for anaesthetics. The equipment will also allow us to monitor eye movements more carefully during the process, which is particularly beneficial in autism research.”

It is hoped the system will be installed at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary this year.

The AOGA raised the money through its charity golf tournament at Gleneagles in May. The equipment has also been part-funded by the Scottish Neuroimage Pooling Initiative (Sinapse).