Advanced MRI measures to stage and monitor multiple sclerosis
Official title: Reporting Quantitative Microstructural MRI Metrics to Stage and Monitor Multiple Sclerosis
Funded at Microstructure Imaging, INC. · NIH-11189717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses advanced diffusion MRI measurements to better track disease stage and progression in people with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Microstructure Imaging, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $364,885 |
| NIH project number | 5R43NS137871-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11189717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis who can undergo brain MRI and share clinical or imaging data would be the best candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot have MRI (for example due to implanted metal devices or severe claustrophobia) or those without MS are unlikely to benefit from this work.
What this research studies
You would get MRI scans that use diffusion techniques to measure tiny tissue features in your brain, not just overall volume or lesions. The team will build a reference database of these microstructural metrics matched by age and sex and compare individual scans to that norm. They plan to apply a standard white-matter model that separates intra-axonal, extra-axonal, and free-water signals to help tell inflammation from degeneration. The work also aims to make these measurements reliable across different MRI scanners so changes can be detected sooner than with conventional volumetrics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could detect neurodegeneration and treatment effects earlier and more precisely than current MRI measures, helping guide care decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Research using diffusion MRI and compartmental white-matter models has shown promise and often outperforms simple volume measures, but widespread clinical adoption is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Microstructure Imaging, INC.
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lemberskiy, Grigoriy — Microstructure Imaging, INC.
- Study coordinator: Lemberskiy, Grigoriy
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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.