Faster MRI to find early brain changes in Alzheimer's
Official title: Deep-Learning-Augmented Quantitative Gradient Recalled Echo (DLA-qGRE) MRI for in vivo Clinical Evaluation of Brain Microstructural Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer Disease
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11456934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses AI to speed up a special MRI so doctors can find small areas of brain tissue loss linked to early or preclinical Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $661,985 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG082030-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11456934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would include people who are amyloid-positive but without symptoms, those with mild cognitive complaints, or people with early diagnosed Alzheimer’s willing to have MRI scans.
✕Less likely to help
People with advanced, late-stage Alzheimer's or those who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to incompatible implants or severe claustrophobia) are unlikely to benefit from participation.
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team combines a sensitive MRI method (qGRE) that can mark regions of lost neurons called “Dark Matter” with a deep-learning tool (RARE) to remove artifacts and speed analysis. They will train the AI using data from well-characterized participants, including people who have amyloid changes but no symptoms and those with early cognitive problems. Scans are designed to run on standard clinical MRI machines while the AI shortens analysis from hours to clinically useful times so results could be returned faster. The goal is to make a quantitative MRI marker usable for clinic visits and as an outcome measure in drug trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let people learn about Alzheimer's-related brain changes much earlier and help track disease progression or response to therapy using routine MRI.
How similar studies have gone: Prior qGRE research has identified “Dark Matter” and linked it to future decline, but pairing qGRE with deep-learning acceleration for rapid clinical use is a newer approach that remains under testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yablonskiy, Dmitriy a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Yablonskiy, Dmitriy a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using advanced MRI techniques to detect early brain changes in Alzheimer's disease
This study is testing a new MRI method that uses advanced technology to spot early changes in the brain linked to Alzheimer's disease, helping doctors diagnose and track the condition sooner and more effectively for patients.
-
Integrative histo-genomic analysis to guide cancer risk and targeted therapies with interpretable AI
Researchers are developing an advanced AI-powered approach to map genetic and cellular patterns across breast and cervical cancers to help tailor treatments.
-
Predicting how antimalarial drug resistance spreads with AI
A powerful AI model will be built to forecast how resistance to antimalarial drugs might spread in Africa and beyond, helping clinicians and public health teams stay ahead of outbreaks.
-
Mitochondrial energy problems in men and women with Alzheimer’s disease
This grant tests how mitochondria differ between men and women with Alzheimer's disease to find ways to tailor care.
-
Mitochondrial energy problems in people with Alzheimer’s and related brain diseases
A research effort is looking at how mitochondrial energy problems differ between men and women with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and what this means for future care.
-
Understanding Alzheimer's Genetic Risk in African and Admixed African-American People
A study looks at genetic factors and biomarkers to understand why Alzheimer's disease affects African and admixed African-American communities differently.
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.