Clinically meaningful research on fatty liver disease in adults and children
Official title: Clinical Research on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11369254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide effort studying MASLD, the major form of fatty liver disease, to find better ways to identify who is at risk and how to treat it, including kids and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2002 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $250,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DK061734-26 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and children with MASLD or suspected MASLD, including diverse ethnic groups such as Asian populations, from multiple sites.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without MASLD or without participation in biomarker or imaging studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports work on MASLD, the latest name for fatty liver disease, focusing on non-invasive tests and biomarkers to predict progression and response to treatment. It brings together clinical data from adults and children, including diverse populations, to improve detection and staging without biopsy. By partnering with the NASH CRN, the study aims to refine how we identify high-risk patients and measure treatment effects over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive earlier, more accurate diagnoses and access to targeted therapies or non-invasive monitoring tools.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies within the NASH CRN have advanced knowledge on natural history, biomarkers, and treatment response, supporting the potential for meaningful progress.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loomba, Rohit — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Loomba, Rohit
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting fatty liver disease in women around pregnancy to improve health
This grant explores how to identify and help pregnant and postpartum women who are at risk for fatty liver disease to prevent liver problems later.
-
NAFLD in PCOS: Do androgens drive liver injury and fatty liver progression?
Young women with PCOS may face liver disease progression due to high androgen levels, and this research looks at targeted ways to slow or prevent that progression.
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Ultrasound tests to find and track fatty liver in children
This project develops easy-to-use ultrasound methods to find and monitor liver fat in children who are overweight or obese.
-
How genes and heavy metals influence fatty liver disease
This project looks at how a person’s genes and the amounts of metals in their liver together relate to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Gm4951 gene and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the Gm4951 gene affect how much fat builds up in the liver for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Investigating the link between fatty liver disease and preeclampsia risk in pregnant women
This study is looking at how nonalcoholic fatty liver disease might increase the chances of developing preeclampsia in overweight and obese pregnant women, with the goal of finding ways to keep moms and babies healthier during pregnancy.
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.