Diffusion MRI biomarkers to guide nerve injury repair
Official title: Diffusion MRI Biomarkers of Peripheral Nerve Trauma
Funded at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center · NIH-11134771 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new MRI-based test using diffusion tensor imaging could help doctors decide sooner when to repair damaged peripheral nerves after injury and how well repairs are healing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $821,164 |
| NIH project number | 4R33NS127268-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134771 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with acute peripheral nerve injuries considering or undergoing surgical repair.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without peripheral nerve injuries or those not undergoing repair are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
If you have a nerve injury, this project aims to use diffusion MRI to measure how well nerves are regenerating after trauma and surgery. The goal is to spot when a repair is needed or when a repair isn’t healing as expected, much earlier than current methods. The study will look at MRI markers that reflect nerve fiber integrity to guide clinical decisions and improve outcomes. This work could shorten recovery times and reduce the risk of long-term numbness, pain, or loss of function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience faster and more accurate treatment decisions, potentially better motor and sensory recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows diffusion MRI can reflect nerve changes, with this study extending to real-time recovery monitoring.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dortch, Richard — St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Dortch, Richard
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.