A 1960s hospital building in Scotland is to be given a £40 million makeover in part inspired by the images taken by an MRI scanner.

The Institute of Neurological Sciences, which opened in Glasgow 44 years ago, is being redeveloped including brand new, "state of the art" operating theatres and better wards for patients.

The outside of the building, based near the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, is also being overhauled and images suggest it will have a bright, glassy exterior.

Surgeon Mr David Koppel, a leading clinician in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, worked closely with the architects designing the new theatres.

He said: "The new development will create a fantastic improvement in the space and layout of the theatres and recovery area for the patients we operate on."

Advanced air flow technology is being used in the theatres to reduce the chances of patients contracting an infection during operations.

Mr Koppel added: "Meanwhile the massive external makeover of the neurosciences building will see the building grid and cladding panels arranged into 'slices' to replicate the images taken by an MRI scanner."

A new clinical research base bringing together Glasgow University and NHS staff is being created on the fifth floor of the neurosciences building. Using a link corridor they will be able to access the first 7T MRI scanner in the UK to be based in a medical setting.

It is said the set-up will ensure Glasgow is at the forefront of clinical trials in future.

Robert Calderwood, chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “This tremendous neurosciences modernisation and development programme, in partnership with the University of Glasgow, will give our patients and staff access to the highest quality of theatre, ward, research and imaging facilities.

“Normally NHS facilities built in the 60s would be getting to the end of their lives by this point but these exciting developments will return this building to a state-of-the-art neurosciences centre once more.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said patients would benefit from the substantial investment.

"It is an exciting project that will update and modernise neuroscience facilities in Glasgow so that they are truly world class and at the cutting edge of the latest technology," she said.

"It demonstrates our commitment to provide the very best environment and facilities for patients and medical staff across our NHS."

The £40m is being invested over a number of years. Some of the work has already been undertaken and the project is scheduled to continue into 2017. The planners are said to be building on the experience of the new theatre complexes constructed in new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children.