Creatine MRI to visualize brown fat activity
Endogenous molecular MRI of creatine as a mediator of adrenergic activation of brown adipose tissue
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · NIH-11307574
This project is developing a new MRI method that images creatine in brown fat to help people with obesity or adult-onset diabetes track brown fat activity.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11307574 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Brown fat can burn calories and may help with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and this team is working on a noninvasive MRI scan that picks up a creatine signal linked to brown fat activation. In animal tests the creatine-based MRI tracked brown fat when it was turned on by adrenergic drugs. The work will determine how much of the MRI signal comes specifically from creatine, test how repeatable the scan is, and move the method toward use in people. The goal is a safe imaging tool that could be used alongside or instead of PET scans to monitor metabolic activity in fat.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with obesity or type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes who are willing to undergo MRI scans and any related procedures at the study site.
Not a fit: People without metabolic disease, those who cannot have MRI (for example due to metal implants), or those seeking immediate therapeutic interventions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this imaging-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give patients a safer, noninvasive way to see and monitor brown fat activity to guide metabolic treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies showed promise for creatine-based MRI detecting brown fat activation, but human testing is limited and the approach is still novel for clinical use.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO — Chicago, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CAI, KEJIA — UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: CAI, KEJIA
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.
Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus