Developing a new brain imaging scanner for better diagnosis of neurological conditions

Ultra High Resolution Brain PET Scanner for in-vivo Autoradiography Imaging

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11073415

This study is testing a new, super-clear brain scanner called SAVANT that can help spot early signs of Alzheimer's and other brain conditions, and it's designed for people who want to learn more about brain health before any symptoms show up.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11073415 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating an advanced PET scanner called SAVANT, which will provide ultra-high resolution imaging of the human brain. By achieving a spatial resolution close to 1 mm, this technology aims to visualize and quantify critical physiological events in the brain, such as the early signs of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. The scanner will undergo validation through phantom studies and will be tested on healthy volunteers to ensure its effectiveness. This innovative approach could significantly enhance our understanding of brain diseases long before symptoms appear.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for neurological conditions, particularly those with a family history of Alzheimer's disease or similar disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with established neurological conditions who are already experiencing significant symptoms may not benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and better management of neurological diseases, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While advancements in brain imaging have been made, this specific approach using ultra-high resolution PET scanning is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.