Helping doctors spot abnormalities on CT and X‑ray images
Novel Perceptual and Oculomotor Heuristics for Enhancing Radiologic Performance
This project develops training methods to help radiologists and trainees notice subtle problems on CT and X‑ray images more quickly and reliably.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Suny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Brooklyn, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11113946 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will track where expert radiologists look on medical images using eye‑tracking to identify the visual textures and peripheral signals that point to abnormalities. They will compare the eye movements and decisions of experts and novices while they read CT and chest X‑ray images. From those findings the team will create perceptual learning exercises and heuristics designed to teach the useful visual patterns to trainees. The research uses real clinical images and in‑person testing at the study site to measure whether the training improves detection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project mainly enrolls radiologists and radiology trainees who view CT and X‑ray images rather than patients as study subjects.
Not a fit: Patients who are not treated with imaging or whose care does not rely on radiologist interpretation are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce missed findings on scans and lead to earlier, more accurate diagnoses for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior eye‑tracking and perceptual training work in radiology has shown promising improvements in small studies, but larger confirmatory trials are limited.
Where this research is happening
Brooklyn, United States
- Suny Downstate Medical Center — Brooklyn, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez-Conde, Susana — Suny Downstate Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Martinez-Conde, Susana
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.