Recent developments in MRI of the brain are reviewed. Over the past year there has been a general improvement in image quality, a paramagnetic contrast agent has been used in clinical practice, and surface coils have been used more generally in imaging. A wider range of disease has been studied, and there has been considerable agreement about the advantages and disadvantages of MRI at a basic level. As the technique moves into routine clinical use, questions about the economics of the technique are becoming more pressing.