Aspirin-powered MRI to image inflammation
Official title: Unlabeled aspirin as activatable CEST MRI agent for imaging of inflammation
Funded at Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger · NIH-11366229 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will test aspirin, a common medicine, as a safe, activatable contrast agent to detect inflammation using MRI in mouse models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $661,953 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EB037743-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366229 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with inflammatory conditions or researchers seeking MRI imaging improvements, once translated to humans.
✕Less likely to help
If aspirin-based contrast does not translate well to humans or causes adverse effects, patients may not experience benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to turn aspirin into a new MRI contrast agent that lights up inflamed tissues without heavy metals. Researchers will optimize a CEST MRI protocol in mice after giving injectable aspirin and study potential toxicity. They will also map aspirin metabolites in brain, kidney, and liver tissues using MALDI imaging to understand how the drug distributes and affects inflammation. The work could pave the way for safer, biocompatible imaging of inflammatory conditions in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from a safer MRI method to visualize inflammation using aspirin-based contrast.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary mouse data show enhanced MRI signal in inflamed tissue with aspirin-based contrast and tissue mapping supports mechanism, suggesting potential but needing human validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcmahon, Michael T — Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
- Study coordinator: Mcmahon, Michael T
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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.