Developing a silent MRI technique for brain imaging
Official title: Silent Functional MRI Using Looping Star
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11048452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a quieter way to take brain scans using fMRI, which will help kids and people with dementia feel more comfortable during the process, while still getting clear and accurate pictures of how their brains work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $432,749 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EB035618-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11048452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children under 11 years old and individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have cognitive impairments or are not undergoing brain imaging may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a silent functional MRI (fMRI) method that minimizes acoustic noise during brain imaging, which can be particularly disruptive for children and patients with dementia. By using innovative techniques that involve slowly changing gradient waveforms, the project seeks to improve the quality of brain scans while maintaining the necessary spatial and temporal resolutions. This advancement could enhance the accuracy of brain activity assessments, especially in studies related to auditory processing and cognitive functions. The research will focus on overcoming challenges posed by traditional fMRI methods, making it more suitable for vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more comfortable and accurate brain imaging for patients, particularly those with cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing quieter MRI techniques, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in brain imaging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Noll, Douglas C — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Noll, Douglas C
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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.