The university will lead international studies in brain development

The MRI and MEG scanners, worth a total of �3.5m, will give the Department of Psychology "unparalleled facilities".

Research into autism, epilepsy, stroke and dementia is already being planned at its neuro-imaging centre.

The centre aims to help scientists understand how language, vision, memory and motor control work together.

Child studies

The department took delivery of the machines on Saturday.

Professor Gary Green, director of the neuro-imaging centre, said: "The combination of these particular MRI and MEG scanners in one site will provide unparalleled facilities for the study of the human brain in both health and disease."

Doctors believe the MEG scanner, which maps the magnetic fields created by the brain, could prove vital for studying children.

Dr Barry Wright, a child psychiatrist based in York, said: "Since research in children using scanners has been hampered by the ethics of using X-Rays or other electromagnetic fields on children, this opens up new possibilities."

University chiefs hope the new technology available at the centres will help them develop links with the local and regional NHS.