Detecting early skull–brain injury from repeated minor sports head impacts using MRI elastography
MRE elastography-based detection of impaired skull-brain decoupling after repetitive subconcussive sports impact
A special MRI-based scan looks for early changes where the skull meets the brain in people—especially contact-sport athletes and youth—who have had repeated small head impacts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11369149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get a noninvasive MRI exam called harmonic MR elastography (MRE) that measures how the tissues at the skull–brain interface move in response to tiny vibrations. Researchers will compare people with different histories of repetitive subconcussive head impacts, including some followed over time, to see how MRE measurements change with exposure and recovery. The team focuses on the pia–arachnoid complex and other interfaces that may become mechanically altered long before symptoms appear. Scans are done at Mayo Clinic using specialized imaging sequences developed in the prior grant cycle.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people—particularly youth and athletes in contact sports—with a history of repeated subconcussive head impacts who can travel to Mayo Clinic for imaging and follow-up.
Not a fit: People without a history of head impacts, or those who cannot undergo MRI (for example, because of a pacemaker or other contraindication), are unlikely to benefit or participate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify early, otherwise invisible damage from repeated minor head impacts and help guide monitoring, rest, or protective strategies to reduce long-term brain injury risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior pilot work from this team produced the first evidence that MRE can detect skull–brain mechanical changes after repetitive subconcussive impacts, but larger clinical validation remains novel and ongoing.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yin, Ziying — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Yin, Ziying
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.