Brain connections and development in Chiari I malformation
Functional Connectivity, Brain Development, and Outcomes in Chiari Type I Malformation
This project uses advanced MRI scans over time to see how brain wiring and growth relate to symptoms and recovery in children and adults with Chiari I malformation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182746 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll receive detailed MRI scans (resting-state fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging) before and after surgery when applicable and at follow-up visits to track brain changes over time. The team will compare your imaging and cognitive/emotional test results to age- and demographically-matched participants from the large ABCD study to identify differences linked to Chiari. Researchers will use personalized connectomics and measures like fractional anisotropy together with Chiari-specific symptom scores (Chiari Severity Index and CHIP) to connect brain changes with outcomes. Both pediatric and adult participants are included to increase study power and to examine developmental effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with Chiari Type I malformation — children, adolescents, and adults — who can safely undergo MRI, including those planning posterior fossa decompression and those managed without surgery.
Not a fit: People without Chiari I, those with MRI contraindications (for example certain implanted devices or severe claustrophobia), or those unable to travel to the study site are unlikely to participate or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict who will improve after surgery and personalize treatment and follow-up based on each patient's brain connectivity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous MRI and DTI studies have linked brain changes to symptoms in Chiari, but using personalized connectome analyses longitudinally and comparing to the ABCD cohort is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roland, Jarod — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Roland, Jarod
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.