Estimating blood flow in PET imaging without invasive procedures

Non-invasive Estimation of the Arterial Input Function in PET Studies using Whole-Body Physiological Models

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10239015

This study is working on a new way to make PET scans better by finding a way to get important blood information directly from the scan images instead of needing a blood test, which could help doctors more accurately check how your body is using sugar, especially for cancer care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10239015 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on improving Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging by developing non-invasive methods to estimate the arterial input function (AIF), which is crucial for accurately measuring physiological properties like glucose metabolism. By utilizing whole-body physiological models, the study aims to create algorithms that can derive the AIF directly from PET images, eliminating the need for invasive blood sampling. This approach could enhance the accuracy and accessibility of PET imaging in clinical settings, particularly for cancer detection and treatment monitoring.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing PET scans for cancer diagnosis or treatment evaluation.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing PET imaging or those with conditions that do not require metabolic assessment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and less invasive PET imaging techniques, improving cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in developing non-invasive imaging techniques, suggesting that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.

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.
Conditions DiseaseDisorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.