Diffusion Models for MRI Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Standard, Hybrid, Latent and Cold Diffusion Approaches
Abstract
Diffusion models have recently emerged as a new paradigm to solve inverse problems in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This paper systematically categorizes forty representative studies that use diffusion models for MRI reconstruction. The studies are systematically divided into three dimensional categories: (1) model type distribution that includes standard, score-based diffusion, hybrid and physics-informed diffusion, latent diffusion and cold diffusion; (2) application domain distribution that includes accelerated, motion-corrected, dynamic, quantitative and cross-modal MRI; and (3) domain of reconstruction distribution that includes image-space, k-space, latent-space and hybrid approaches. In this context, diffusion-driven methods represent a significant methodological shift, evolving from purely data-driven denoising toward unified, physics-aligned reconstruction frameworks. Hybrid and cold diffusion approaches further integrate probabilistic generative priors with explicit MRI acquisition physics, which enables improved fidelity, artifact suppression and enhanced generalization across sampling regimes and anatomical domains. This study reviews current advances in the field of MRI reconstruction methods and gives future research directions, emphasizing the need for interpretable, data-efficient and multi-domain generative models that are capable of robustly addressing the diverse challenges of MRI reconstruction.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Learning from First-Generation Qualitative Approaches in the IS Discipline: An Evolutionary View and Some Implications for Authors and Evaluators (PART 1/2)
- Commentary on the clinical and preclinical dosage limits of interstitially administered magnetic fluids for therapeutic hyperthermia based on current practice and efficacy models
- Prosthesis: New Technological Opportunities and Innovative Biomedical Devices
- The history and future of neural modeling for cochlear implants
- Ryanodine receptors: waking up from refractoriness
- Novel Transgenic Rabbit Model Sheds Light on the Puzzling Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-12 in Atherosclerosis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.