Efficient non-contrast MRI for carotid artery disease
Multi-Center Implementation and Validation of Efficient Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Analysis of Atherosclerotic Disease of the Cervical Carotid
A faster MRI approach without contrast to get clearer pictures of carotid artery plaque for people with carotid artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176163 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have shorter, non-contrast MRI scans that use special neck-shaped coils to produce high-quality images of the carotid artery wall and plaque. The project pairs these hardware improvements with advanced computer algorithms (deep learning) to speed up scanning and simplify image analysis. Teams at multiple hospitals will test the method to make sure it works reliably in routine clinical care and compare results to current standards. The aim is a quicker, safer imaging option clinicians can use more widely to guide stroke-prevention decisions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with known carotid artery plaque or narrowing, or those at elevated risk of stroke who need detailed carotid imaging.
Not a fit: People without carotid disease or those who cannot undergo MRI (for example, because of incompatible implants or severe claustrophobia) would likely not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give patients quicker, safer carotid imaging without gadolinium that reveals plaque details to help guide treatment to reduce stroke risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research showed MRI can reveal detailed carotid plaque features but typically required long, contrast-enhanced exams; applying non-contrast sequences with specialized coils and machine learning is promising but still under multi-center validation.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parker, Dennis L — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Parker, Dennis L
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.