Imaging active scarring in the heart
Molecular Imaging of Collagen Turnover in Cardiomyopathy
A new molecular imaging approach aims to spot active collagen turnover (ongoing scarring) in people with cardiomyopathy to better target treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127702 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to undergo advanced molecular imaging that looks for newly forming or remodeling collagen in the heart rather than just existing scar. The team is developing and using imaging tracers and scans (alongside standard scans and blood markers) to measure collagen turnover during heart remodeling. This could help doctors tell who has ongoing fibrotic activity and who has stable, inactive scar tissue. The work combines imaging, clinical information, and laboratory measures to track fibrosis over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with cardiomyopathy or heart failure, especially those suspected of having cardiac fibrosis or undergoing ventricular remodeling, would be the main candidates.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or those with long-standing, stable scar tissue and no evidence of ongoing remodeling are unlikely to benefit directly from this imaging approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify patients with active heart scarring who might benefit from anti-fibrotic therapies and allow doctors to track treatment effects.
How similar studies have performed: Existing imaging can show mature scar but not active collagen turnover, so while molecular imaging of fibrosis has shown promise, imaging true collagen turnover is a newer approach with limited prior human data.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sadeghi, Mehran M — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Sadeghi, Mehran M
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.