A new method to measure muscle health using electrical signals
Official title: Convenient quantification of myopathic change in muscle via electrical impedance myography
Funded at Myolex, INC. · NIH-11112443 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, easier way to check the health of your muscles using a device called mScan, which could help people with muscle disorders get better care without the hassle of traditional MRI scans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Myolex, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brookline, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $963,608 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AR083316-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112443 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with muscle disorders such as muscular dystrophy or those experiencing muscle atrophy due to aging or injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with muscle conditions that do not involve significant changes in muscle composition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel technique called electrical impedance myography (EIM) to assess muscle condition more conveniently and cost-effectively than traditional MRI. EIM can provide insights into muscle pathology, track disease progression, and monitor responses to therapy without the need for patients to undergo the cumbersome MRI process. The goal is to develop a device, the mScan, that simplifies the analysis of muscle health, making it accessible for both clinical trials and individual patient care. This approach aims to improve the quality of life for patients with muscle disorders by offering a less invasive and more efficient diagnostic tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more accessible and efficient way for patients to monitor their muscle health and disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that electrical impedance myography can effectively correlate with muscle pathology, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Myolex, INC.
Brookline, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickinson, David P. — Myolex, INC.
- Study coordinator: Dickinson, David P.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Electrical impedance measurements to track cancer-related muscle loss
A first-ever test using a handheld device to measure muscle health in adults with cancer to help diagnose and monitor cancer cachexia.
-
Assessing muscle health in older adults using electrical signals
This study is looking at a new, quick way to check the muscle health of older adults to help spot sarcopenia, which is when people lose muscle strength as they age, using a safe technique that sends small electrical currents through the muscles, so we can better support seniors in staying strong and independent.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.