Identifying early metabolic signs of muscular dystrophy and heart disease.
Official title: Development of early metabolic imaging biomarkers for muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy in patients
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11118664 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to spot early signs of muscular dystrophy and heart issues by checking how your muscles and heart use energy, so we can catch problems before they get serious and improve treatment options for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $746,881 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170039-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118664 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy, particularly those aged 21 and older.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of muscular dystrophy or unrelated neuromuscular disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new imaging biomarkers to detect early signs of muscular dystrophy and related heart conditions in patients. By examining how the body metabolizes energy, particularly in muscle and heart tissues, the study aims to identify changes that occur before significant damage happens. The approach involves advanced imaging techniques to monitor metabolic processes, which could lead to better management of these conditions. Patients will be closely monitored to understand the progression of their disease and the effectiveness of potential treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment strategies for patients with muscular dystrophy and cardiomyopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using metabolic imaging to assess other neuromuscular disorders, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Park, Jae Mo — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Park, Jae Mo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cardiac TP receptor blocking to protect the heart in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Aims to see if blocking the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor helps prevent heart damage in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
-
How immune cells affect the heart in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
This work looks at how immune cells called macrophages contribute to heart damage in people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
-
3D printed human heart model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cardiomyopathy progression
A patient-friendly 3D-printed heart model using stem cells and gene editing helps study how DMD affects the heart over time and tests potential therapies.
-
Connexin-43 and Duchenne heart problems: a new target to protect the heart in DMD
Researchers are studying whether a heart protein called Connexin-43 can be adjusted to help people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy avoid dangerous heart problems.
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Metabolic imaging to detect early muscle and heart changes in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy
Using advanced metabolic imaging to find early muscle and heart changes in people with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy.
-
Predicting heart disease progression in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy
This project will look for blood tests and heart-imaging signs that predict how heart disease will progress in people with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy and in genetic carriers.
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.