<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system for detecting iron using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). <P>SOLUTION: The method comprises generating a substantially high magnetic field strength within the MRI system, acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) images 310, 320 by a pulse sequence adapted to create a magnetic field map of the brain for use in enhancing brain iron deposits, and characterizing regions of interest using the magnetic field map to detect statistically relevant quantities of brain iron deposits to indicate a given disease. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI 
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING BRAIN IRON USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING