Free-breathing 3D MRI to measure liver iron levels
Rapid Free-Breathing 3D High-Resolution MRI for Volumetric Liver Iron Quantification
A fast 3D MRI method that measures liver iron without breath-holding for children and adults with iron overload.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141754 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to create a high-resolution 3D MRI scan you can have while breathing normally, so children and adults who can't hold their breath can be scanned comfortably. The team will use faster imaging pulses and new image-reconstruction algorithms to reduce blur from breathing and capture the rapid signal changes caused by excess liver iron. They plan to produce whole-liver 3D maps of iron concentration using R2* relaxometry and compare these scans to the current breath-hold standard. If successful, the scans could be quicker and clearer, reducing the need for repeat exams and improving monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with suspected or known iron overload—such as hereditary hemochromatosis or transfusion-related hemosiderosis—including children and adults who struggle with breath-holding are the best fit.
Not a fit: Patients without liver iron overload, those who cannot undergo MRI (for example due to incompatible implants), or those already managed adequately with existing imaging may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide accurate, radiation-free liver iron measurements for patients who cannot hold their breath, improving monitoring and treatment decisions for iron overload.
How similar studies have performed: R2* MRI is already used clinically to estimate liver iron, but fully free-breathing, high-resolution 3D approaches are relatively new and not yet widely adopted.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kee, Youngwook — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Kee, Youngwook
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.