Automated MRI Scan to Learn About Muscle, Bone, and Fat for Healthy Aging
Official title: Automated MRI-Based Musculoskeletal and Body Composition Assessment for Healthy Aging
Funded at Springbok, INC. · NIH-11323830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new MRI-based tool uses artificial intelligence to automatically measure muscles, bones, and fat to help aging individuals stay strong and independent.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Springbok, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,019,030 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AG099631-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 50+ who are undergoing MRI-based assessment or who have concerns about sarcopenia, osteopenia, or obesity-related fat distribution.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without age-related muscle or fat concerns or those unable to undergo MRI may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project develops MAPS, an AI-powered MRI method that rapidly analyzes muscle and fat health, with a cloud interface to share results. It builds a large reference database of healthy muscle and fat patterns across ages to support personalized aging plans. The goal is to give clinicians and patients a fast, accessible way to understand body composition and guide interventions that promote mobility and reduce fall risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive quicker, more detailed insights into their muscle and fat health to inform personalized aging care plans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior imaging tools provide partial insights, and AI-based body composition work is advancing; this project aims to offer a more complete, automated profiling approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Springbok, INC.
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riem, Lara Isabella — Springbok, INC.
- Study coordinator: Riem, Lara Isabella
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
MyGoals for Healthy Aging among people at risk for Alzheimer’s dementia
A multi-center trial tests whether a combined program addressing poverty-related stress and executive function can slow aging and reduce risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease in adults.
-
Healthy aging in Black adults and its links to dementia risk
This grant follows a large group of Black adults to understand how aging, brain health, and life experiences influence Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
-
How early-life spending shape aging and dementia risk later in life
A Stanford-led study looks at how state and county spending in childhood may influence midlife thinking skills and the risk of dementia in later life.
-
Costa Rica long-lived older adults follow-up (Wave 4)
We will re-contact Costa Rican adults aged 70 and older (and their spouses) to collect health, thinking, and blood information to find what helps people live longer and stay mentally sharp.
-
Mapping tiny blood vessels in the brain's memory area and how they relate to Alzheimer's changes
Researchers are using ultra-high-resolution brain scans and tissue staining to map tiny blood vessels in the entorhinal cortex to learn how those patterns relate to Alzheimer's disease.
-
The chemical language of human gut bacteria and aging
A Duke University study will look at how healthy aging is linked to molecules produced by gut bacteria, with a focus on people who might be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
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.