Better Radiation Therapy for Brain Tumors Using Advanced Imaging
Official title: Improving Image-Guided Radiation Therapy of Gliomas with High-Resolution MR Spectroscopic Imaging
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11134536 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work aims to make radiation therapy for brain tumors more precise by using a special type of MRI to see tumor boundaries more clearly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $518,361 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB033582-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134536 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with newly diagnosed gliomas who are undergoing or considering radiation therapy may be ideal candidates for future applications of this technology.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those not receiving radiation therapy for gliomas may not directly benefit from this specific imaging improvement.
What this research studies
Gliomas are common brain tumors, and current radiation therapy relies on standard MRI, which can make it hard to tell exactly where the tumor ends. This often means healthy brain tissue receives radiation to ensure the entire tumor is treated. Our approach uses high-resolution MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to provide a more detailed molecular map of the tumor. By seeing the tumor's true edges more accurately, we hope to deliver radiation more precisely, potentially reducing side effects and improving treatment effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more accurate and effective radiation therapy for glioma patients, potentially reducing damage to healthy brain tissue and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: A recent Phase I clinical trial using MRSI to guide radiation dose in glioblastoma patients has shown very promising preliminary results, indicating the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Chao — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Ma, Chao
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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.