A new MRI scan to measure liver sugar storage
Non-invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Glycogen in the Human Liver
This project is developing a new, comfortable MRI scan to measure how much sugar is stored in the liver for people with conditions like diabetes or liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11097338 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Currently, measuring sugar (glycogen) in the liver often requires an invasive liver biopsy, which can be painful and risky. This project aims to create a new type of MRI scan that can detect liver glycogen without needing a biopsy. We are working to optimize this new MRI method, called GlycoNOE, to work effectively in the human liver. The goal is to accurately measure changes in liver glycogen levels, which could help us understand and manage conditions where liver sugar metabolism is disrupted.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future applications of this technology would be individuals with glycogen storage disorders, diabetes mellitus, or liver cirrhosis.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions affecting liver glycogen metabolism would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific imaging technique.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new MRI technique could offer a safe and easy way to monitor liver glycogen, potentially leading to better diagnosis and personalized treatment for various liver and metabolic conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Initial studies in mice have shown promising results, demonstrating a clear relationship between the new MRI signal and glycogen concentration, but this approach is novel for human application.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Xiang — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Xu, Xiang
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 below.